Jim Simons, a Knoch graduate, best known for nearly winning the U.S. Open as an amateur in 1971, was named a member of the 2014 Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.

Simons had a 2-shot lead after two rounds of the 1971 open and finished fifth. During his career, Simons finished in the top 15 at The Masters twice and fifth at the PGA Championship.

Simons, who picked up three wins on the PGA Tour, died in 2005 at the age of 55.

LOS ANGELES — Donald Sterling is turning his ownership stake in the Los Angeles Clippers over to his estranged wife, and she is in talks with the NBA to sell the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The individual, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the deal, said the couple reached the agreement after weeks of discussion. Neither Shelly Sterling nor her attorney had any comment. They have been in talks with NBA lawyers for the last couple weeks.

INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers star Paul George was cleared to play after being diagnosed with a concussion.George said at practice that he feels like he is 100 percent after he was injured Tuesday night during the Game 2 loss to Miami that evened the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1.The Pacers announced several hours later that he is expected to play in Game 3 on Saturday night.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — His voice cracking with emotion, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice acknowledged that he “failed miserably” and apologized for the actions that led to his arrest on assault charges. Rice was arrested following a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in which he allegedly struck fiancee Janay Palmer. The couple married in late February, and both went to the stage at the team training complex for their first public comment since the arrest.

A federal judge denied motions by the NCAA that would delay trial on an antitrust suit by former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon and others, ordering the trial to go forward next month in California.Judge Claudia Wilken ordered a June 9 trial in Oakland on the antitrust lawsuit. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction that would allow Division I players the right to band together to sell their services in an open market. If successful, the lawsuit could upend the NCAA's current model built upon the concept college athletes are amateurs and shouldn't be compensated beyond tuition and basic room and board.

DETROIT — Prince Fielder was placed on the disabled list, days before he is scheduled to have season-ending neck surgery.The move by the Texas Rangers came a day after the team said Fielder would have cervical fusion surgery Tuesday for the herniated disk in his neck. General manager Jon Daniels said he expected a second opinion to confirm the initial recommendation for the operation.