Popovich won’t lobby for Team USA

Now the U.S. really is Gregg Popovich’s team.

He’s been the Americans’ national team coach for a few years but there was never a guarantee he’d actually get to lead them in competition. The U.S. first had to qualify for the Basketball World Cup, where the Americans can then play their way into the 2020 Olympics.

With that done, Popovich can lobby players to go to China with him. He won’t. “I just think that would be inappropriate for me before games to go up to one or two guys on each team and say, ‘Hey, are you going to play for us this summer? I’d really like to have you,’ ” Popovich said. “He’s there to try to whip (us). He’s got a different priority that night and I think it would be inappropriate for me try to do that.”

ANDERSON SUFFERS STROKE » Former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson has suffered a stroke.

The 48-year-old Anderson recently completed his first season coaching NAIA program Fisk University in Nashville. Fisk said in a statement the university community extends its “thoughts and prayers” to Anderson and his family. Anderson’s wife, Natasha Anderson, said in a statement the family is “extremely grateful for all the prayers and love that we have received over the last few days.”

MLB

ARENADO, ROCKIES AGREE » Nolan Arenado likes where he’s at and the direction the Rockies are headed.

So he’s staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.

The All-Star third baseman and Rockies agreed to an eight-year contract, and a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the deal is worth $260 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the dollar value hasn’t been publicly announced.

NFL

WHITWORTH WILL PLAY IN 2019 » Left tackle Andrew Whitworth will return for another season with the Rams.

The 37-year-old Whitworth and the Rams both announced the decision on social media.

Whitworth said he would think about retirement after the Rams’ outstanding season ended with a 13-3 loss to New England in the Super Bowl. But the veteran didn’t do much pondering before deciding he would return for the final season of his threeyear, $33.75 million contract with Los Angeles.

Whitworth is a fourtime Pro Bowl selection who joined the Rams in 2017 after 11 seasons with Cincinnati.