SONOMA, Calif. — Lightning McQueen went to NASCAR’s victory lane last week when Kyle Larson drove the “Cars 3” vehicle to a win.

The McQueen paint scheme has shifted to Clint Bowyer’s car this week, and he’s looking to keep the winning streak going.…

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte coach Steve Clifford is confident he can help newly acquired Hornets center Dwight Howard become a dominant force and an NBA All-Star again.

Clifford is familiar with Howard, having coached him for six seasons as an assistant in Orlando and Los Angeles.

“I know…

RALEIGH — The top forwards in Thursday’s NBA draft needed only a season in college to secure their position in the lottery.

Kansas’ Josh Jackson and Duke’s Jayson Tatum are one-and-done small forwards with size and athleticism, and they’re almost certain to go in the…

RiseUp! Elite Sports Academy has a good problem.

As the organization continues its first summer of exposing a pair of traveling basketball teams, coach Willie Kearney’s phone frequently rings.

“We have a full 16-U JV team and an 18-U varsity team,” said Kearney, who also serves as…

Southern Nash defensive back/wide receiver Nadir Thompson committed to Virginia Tech on Thursday.

Thompson, a rising senior, announced the choice on Twitter.

I am a hokie!!!⚒📸 pic.twitter.com/qTdxvqBbMx

— Nadir Thompson (@Nadir_Thompson7) June 15, 2017

Thompson originally committed to N.C.…

A year ago, Spencer Ramsey didn’t think baseball would be his route to college.

The recent Rocky Mount High grad saw it as his second-best sport. On Tuesday, Ramsey found himself at a private workout with Louisburg College. He got reps at first, second and third base, moved through throwing…

OMAHA, Neb. — Louisville had an early five-run lead against Texas A&M and national player of the year Brendan McKay was on the mound. It should have been game over, right?

“We knew Texas A&M wasn’t going to fold,” coach Dan McDonnell said.

The Aggies didn’t.…

OMAHA, Neb. — Oregon State players were happy to answer any questions about the baseball part of the College World Series. The topic of Luke Heimlich was a non-starter.

Heimlich, the Pac-12 pitcher of the year, announced Thursday he would not accompany the Beavers to Omaha because he…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rick Pitino and Louisville officials are preparing their appeal to the sanctions the NCAA levied on them after its escorts investigation.

But one would-be elephant in the room they don’t have to deal with is a postseason ban. That is a reprieve of sorts from the NCAA…

CHARLOTTE — Brad Keselowski left himself very little wiggle room when asked if he is a candidate to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season.

Keselowski is in a contract year with Team Penske, and crew chief Paul Wolfe has already signed a multi-year extension to stay on. Keselowski? Well,…

RALEIGH — Teams looking for point guard help in Thursday night’s NBA draft are in luck — as long as they have a high pick, that is.

Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball have been the headliners in so much of the pre-draft conversations, projected to be selected first and second. Who will…

History will say the Boston Celtics passed on the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, not only trading it away but doing so in a deal with one of the team’s fiercest rivals.

Danny Ainge isn’t worried.

Philadelphia and Boston completed their trade of draft picks on Monday,…