NCAA: Limit contact football practices

The NCAA is suggesting that football teams hold no more than two contact practices per week during the season in guidelines that grew out of a safety and concussion summit early this year.

Practice limits were among several recommendations released by the NCAA, which called them guidelines that could change “in real time” rather than rules passed through legislation.

The practice guidelines also recommend four contact practices per week during the preseason and no more than eight of the 15 sessions during spring football. The NCAA already has legislation regarding preseason and spring practices.

The governing body of college sports is also suggesting that schools have independent doctors to evaluate injuries and a “return to learn” process for integrating athletes back into their academic work after they have been diagnosed with a concussion.

Neurologist says Sterling has Alzheimer’s

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A neurologist testified that Donald Sterling likely has Alzheimer’s disease as a trial over the $2 billion Los Angeles Clippers sale finally got underway.

Dr. Meril Sue Platzer testified that she was hired by Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling, to evaluate him and made the diagnosis based on imaging tests and a two-hour interview at his home with his wife and an attorney present.

Platzer was the first witness to testify in a trial to determine whether Sterling’s wife was authorized under a family trust to single-handedly make the deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Her lawyers actually called Donald Sterling to the stand first, but he wasn’t in the courthouse and was ordered to appear when the nonjury trial resumes in Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier, a federal judge rejected a bid by Donald Sterling’s lawyers to move the case to federal court.

Heat sign Granger, McRoberts

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat announced they intend to sign Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts when the NBA’s moratorium on deals being formally struck ends later this week.

McRoberts agreed to a four-year deal that starts at around $5.3 million next season, said agent Mike Conley Sr., with Miami using its mid-level exception to get that contract done.

Yahoo Sports reported Granger agreed to a two-year deal, worth about $2 million annually. Granger’s agent, Aaron Mintz, did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Knicks hire Rambis as assistant

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks have hired Kurt Rambis as associate head coach, reuniting him with former Laker and head coach Derek Fisher.

Fisher played 10 seasons for the Lakers while Rambis was a coach in Los Angeles.

Rambis was part of eight NBA title teams with the Lakers, either as a player, assistant coach or adviser/assistant general manager.

Djokovic moves to No. 1 ranking

LONDON (AP) — Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic replaced Rafael Nadal at No. 1 in the ATP rankings, while runner-up Roger Federer rose one spot to No. 3.

This is Djokovic’s 102nd week atop the men’s rankings overall, the eighth most in history. Last in the top spot nine months ago, Djokovic beat Federer 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4 for his second championship at the All England Club and seventh Grand Slam title on Sunday.

Federer, who was bidding for a record eighth title at the grass-court major tournament, swapped places with Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion, who slid to No. 4.

In the WTA rankings, Petra Kvitova’s second Wimbledon title allowed her to improve two places to No. 4.