SPORTS DIGEST || Former NBA center Sean Rooks dies at 46

Former NBA center Sean Rooks dies at 46

PHILADELPHIA

Former NBA center and Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Sean Rooks died Tuesday after interviewing earlier in the day for a job with the New York Knicks. He was 46.

Rooks had visited with Knicks President Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills for an assistant coaching position on Jeff Hornacek’s staff. He had spent the past two years on Brett Brown’s staff in Philadelphia.

The cause of death was not known.

“It is with a profound deal of sadness that we mourn the sudden loss of a beloved son, father and friend, Sean Rooks. Words simply cannot express the heartbreak and shock our entire organization is feeling over this loss,” 76ers co-managing owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer said on behalf of the team.

Rooks played 12 seasons after being selected in the second round of the NBA draft by Dallas in 1992. He averaged 6.2 points in 749 games with seven teams.

His interview with the Knicks was first reported by Yahoo Sports.

Team USA rebounds against Costa Rica

CHICAGO

Clint Dempsey had a goal and two assists, and the United States rebounded from its opening loss in Copa America with a convincing 4-0 victory over Costa Rica on Tuesday night.

Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Graham Zusi also scored as the U.S. moved into prime position to grab one of two spots in the knockout round coming out of Group A in South America’s championship. The Americans take on Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday night.

It was quite a response to days of questions after the U.S. allowed a goal off a corner kick and committed a costly hand ball in a 2-0 loss to Colombia on Friday night.

Costa Rica, which played a scoreless tie against Paraguay in its Copa opener on Saturday in Florida, looked sluggish for long stretches of the first half and was unable to recover.

Legendary MMA fighter Slice dies at 42

Kimbo Slice, the bearded street fighter who parlayed his internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career and worldwide fame, has died. He was 42.

Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was taken to a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., near his home Monday, Coral Springs Police Sgt. Carla Kmiotek said. Slice’s death was confirmed by Mike Imber, his longtime manager.

“We lost our brother today,” Imber said in a text message to The Associated Press.

The cause of death was still unclear.

Slice was a strip club bouncer who began competing in unsanctioned street fights in 2003. Videos of his savage knockout victories in the bouts became wildly popular online.

He studied MMA and eventually competed in the UFC and Bellator, which staged his last two fights.

Ten track officials worked state meet

Ten members of the Greater Youngstown Track Officials Association participated in last week’s state track and field meet in Columbus.

Representing the Mahoning Valley at Ohio State University were: Andris Balputnis, announcer; Peggy Celedonia, umpire; Ed Katzman, finish area coordinator; Karen Sapp, long jump official; Deb Satterfield, pole vault official; Ron Weaver, crew chief; Jim Fox, referee; Joan Fox, umpire; Tom Sapp, umpire; and Margie Iagulli, umpire.

Scrappers revive non-profit ticket deal

NILES

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are bringing back a program that provides tickets to local non-profit organizations.

Non-profits can use the tickets to give to people who benefit from their work or as rewards for volunteers. Applications for the program can be found on mvscrappers.com and should be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the desired game date.

Staff/wire report