The match resulted in a defeat against the Netherlands, but Nico showcased flashes of the talent, supported by coach Sacchetti, that will likely eventually grant him the starting point guard spot for years to come. Nico won’t compete among the NCAA Division 1 big guns until next year. But in the meantime, there are many other young Italian prospects to keep an eye on in the college ranks. For some of them, Division 1 will be a benchmark to prove themselves worthy of the national team, and maybe a jumpstart for a professional career in Europe....

“Let’s give a welcome back to the cynical Obama-Clinton-Biden doctrine: ‘If you can’t win, create chaos,’” said Meloni, who did not criticize the two Republican presidents who served during the U.S. conflict in Afghanistan, George W. Bush and Donald Trump, even though the latter set an even earlier deadline to withdraw all troops from the embattled nation. The stunning pace at which Taliban advanced on Kabul has apparently taken Western governments by surprise....

“This summer we will not be spent on the balcony and the beauty of Italy will not remain in quarantine. We will be able to go to the sea, to the mountains, to enjoy our cities,” Conte told Corriere della Sera. “And it would be nice if the Italians spent their holidays in Italy, even if we do it differently, with rules and cautions.” The nation, which began its first steps to roll back quarantine measures on May 4, has remained one of the hardest-hit nations in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic....

According to the Ministry of Health, Italy’s death toll from the respiratory illness increased by 99 between Sunday and Monday, continuing a steady decline in single-day fatality reports during the past several weeks. The latest figure marked a significant milestone for the European country hit hardest by the pandemic. Italy had recorded daily deaths in considerably higher quantities than other European nation since the start of the global outbreak. Before Monday, Italy’s single-day fatality count had not fallen below 100 since March 11, when 41 new deaths were confirmed....

The 83 member coalition of 77 countries and five organizations met Monday for the meeting held by Di Maio and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as the IS remains a threat in Iraq, Syria and Africa, according to the Associated Press. Di Maio warned particularly of IS efforts in the Sahel region, Mozambique and the Horn of Africa on the eastern side of the continent. “We must step up the action taken by the coalition, increasing the areas in which we can operate,” Di Maio said....

As one of the most impressive teams in the Euro 2021 group stage, Italy is the heavy favorite in its Round of 16 match at Wembley Stadium, standing just one game away from setting the all-time record for consecutive undefeated matches for the Italian men’s team. Italy put on a show in its opening three group matches played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Roberto Mancini’s side is blowing up the longstanding image of Italian soccer based on sophisticated, tactical, defensive mastery....

ITP is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system inappropriately destroys platelets—the cells that are responsible for helping blood clot and prevent bleeding. ITP can be treated by observation alone, or with medications such as steroids or immunoglobulin therapy. TTP is a blood disorder in which platelets cause clots to develop in small blood vessels in the organs of the body, which can result in failure of the organs....

The FCS conference received approval from the NCAA on Wednesday to place kickoffs at the 40-yard line for league games next season. The idea is to make kickoffs safer by creating more touchbacks. The NCAA will review the results of the one-year experiment after the season. MORE: Seven most-hated college football teams Fans of a certain age remember that kickoffs were from the 40 for decades, before being moved back to the 35, and then the 30, to boost returns....

A tweet Monday night alerted the Texans defensive end to Fulmer’s story, and Watt responded, saying, “Tell him I’ll bring him a new jersey tomorrow.” MORE: NFL playoff predictions On Tuesday, Watt did just that while paying a visit to Noah following surgery, hand-delivering multiple No. 99 jerseys to the Fulmer family. Noah was one of three pedestrians hospitalized in the incident, which occurred in Matagorda Beach, Texas. Favorable updates on his condition followed on social media Tuesday afternoon....

Despite all that, Watt doesn’t like the idea that some of teammates might not put in the effort for that meaningless Week 17 game. “This is a privilege,” Watt said in his postgame presser Sunday after the Texans lost at home to the Bengals 37-31. “It’s the greatest job in the world. We get to go out and play a game. And if you can’t care enough, even in Week 17, even when you’re trash, when you’re 4-11, if you can’t care enough to go out there and give everything you got and try your hardest, that’s bulls—....

That is going to be the big question after Houston “mutually agreed to part ways” with the former first-round pick after 10 seasons. Watt, a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year winner, has 101 sacks for his career. Watt leaves a Houston community where he left a major impact on and off the field. So where will Watt land next? A playoff contender would make the most sense. Watt has played in eight postseason games, but he’s never been on a team that played for a conference championship....

The call in question came late in the first half of the Bengals vs. Bills playoff game. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow appeared to thread a third-and-goal pass from the 11-yard line perfectly to his top receiver Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown. Chase tapped down two feet before falling to the ground. The official in the end-zone initially ruled the play a touchdown. LIVE: Follow Sporting News’ coverage of Bengals vs....

Newton chose the Hurricanes over Arizona, Georgetown, Minnesota and Oregon and is the third commitment for Miami’s 2014 class. The others are four-star SG Adonys Henriquez (Orlando Christian Prep) and three-star SG James Palmer (St. John’s College H.S. in Washington D.C.). Newton’s commitment is affirmation in what coach Jim Larranaga has built in two seasons at Miami. The Hurricanes went 29-7 and were ACC regular season and tournament champions and also advanced to the Sweet 16....

The school is still working to find the cause of the fire but luckily no people were injured. The Monday afternoon game has since been canceled.

In an interview Thursday evening with NBA TV, Jackson was asked if he would have signed Kobe Bryant to a two-year contract. Bryant signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal in November despite coming off an Achilles injury. From Yahoo! Sports: "Yeah, I would have," Jackson answered quickly, before briefly pausing and adding: "They paid him more than I would have gone for." "But what he's given to this organization, what he gives back — he brings a certain sense of, 'We are going to win,'" Jackson said....

Jacob deGrom has been sent back to New York to get an MRI after his elbow was “barking” while playing catch on Friday, manger Mickey Callaway told reporters. It is unclear if this is a serious issue or just the Mets being extra cautious with the 2018 National League Cy Young award winner. He initially had his start pushed back to Sunday due to strep throat. MORE: Watch ‘ChangeUp,’ a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZN...

According to the Houston Chronicle, which cited unidentified league sources not authorized to speak publicly, the star linebacker/defensive end is expected to miss the entire offseason and at least a portion of training camp before likely reporting prior to the start of the regular season. Clowney has yet to sign his $15.967 million franchise tender and would further forfeit $939,235 each week he sits out beginning in September. “No, as you know, he’s been franchised,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Tuesday....

On Monday, the team apologized for the off-color sign. MORE: Week 5 photos | Giants owner makes Ebola joke | Rating first place confidence Sadly, the Jaguars’ mascot was not the only one to make ebola jokes over the weekend. Legions of Texans fans attended their team’s road game against the Cowboys in hazmat suits and safety masks, mocking the recent news that a man in Dallas is currently being treated for the virus....

With Nick Foles set to return from the shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for seven weeks, the Jaguars are going back to their $88 million man. Coach Doug Marrone announced Tuesday that Foles will start over Minshew when the Jaguars play the Colts in Week 11. Jacksonville is on a bye in Week 10. MORE: Why Jags should have stuck with Minshew Even though Minshew had his worst game yet in Sunday’s loss to the Texans, SN’s Vinnie Iyer provided four reasons why the Jaguars should have stuck with the rookie sixth-rounder from Washington State....