NEW YORK, USA (AP) — Kyrie Irving made all five shots and scored 12 points starting in place of Derrick Rose, and the US national basketball team beat the Dominican Republic 105-62 on Wednesday night in an exhibition game.

James Harden also scored 12 in limited playing time for the Americans, who used their subs for most of the second half. Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan each scored 13 points.

Rose sat out, with team officials saying coach Mike Krzyzewski wanted to be able to look longer at other players with cuts coming soon. The Americans have 16 players on the roster and have to get down to 12 before the upcoming Basketball World Cup.

Fans chanted for Rose during the game, but Krzyzewski decided shortly before tip the Chicago Bulls star wouldn’t play.

Rose had sat out practices the past two days after starting in Saturday’s exhibition victory over Brazil on his home floor, saying Tuesday he just wanted extra rest as he tries to play his way back into shape after missing most of the past two seasons because of knee surgeries.

European football clubs opening US academies

MIAMI, Florida (AP) — As the USA’s appetite for football grows, more American kids are harbouring dreams of becoming the next David Beckham or Leo Messi. Their aspirations, realistic or not, have not gone unnoticed by top international teams, which are trying to capitalise financially.

European clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal have long sent coaches to work at US summer camps, but now some are opening year-round US academies aimed at finding new talent, while also expanding their fan bases and revenue opportunities in the largest economy in the world.

The expansion of such programmes is part of a bigger trend, as major international clubs try to grow their brands in the US to battle for the hearts and pocketbooks of Americans today and in decades to come.

South Africa sweep Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AFP) — A career-best innings of 90 from captain Elton Chigumbura could not prevent Zimbabwe from crashing to 165 all out in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa yesterday.

Chigumbura arrived at the crease in just the second over after Zimbabwe had crashed to 4 for two in seven deliveries, and was the last man out as the hosts were bowled out in 39.5 overs.

Fast bowler Marchant de Lange recorded figures of three for 31 as he returned from a long injury layoff to play his second ODI for South Africa more than two years after he played his first.

After Kyle Abbott had trapped Hamilton Masakadza lbw in the first over, De Lange struck with his very first delivery when he had Richmond Mutumbami caught at second slip.

Chigumbura revived the innings alongside Sikandar Raza Butt, who made 30 from 24 balls, but after Raza was dismissed by Ryan McLaren and the in-form Sean Williams was bowled by Aaron Phangiso, the Zimbabweans lost five for 16 in six overs.

With Zimbabwe 119 for nine, Chigumbura went to his half-century in 102 deliveries, and then cashed in during the power play, hitting five fours and two sixes as he added 40 in 20 balls.

The poor Zimbabwean total came after the hosts had sprung a surprise by dropping premier batsman Brendan Taylor.

Brazilian Brandao suspended in headbutt incident

BASTIA, France, (AFP) — SC Bastia’s Brazilian striker Brandao has been provisionally suspended until September 18 by the French league (LFP) following his headbutt on Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta after last Saturday’s Ligue One clash.

Brandao’s lawyer Olivier Martin explained that his client will appear at a full hearing on Thursday, September 18 into the incident in the tunnel after PSG’s 2-0 win at the Parc des Princes and which left Motta with a fractured nose.

Brandao attended the LFP disciplinary commission hearing in Paris yesterday on his own request, although he made no comment to the media as he left.

His lawyer said: “Brandao apologised. It is normal that he wanted to talk to the disciplinary commission and not to the TV cameras or on a talk show. He will appear at a hearing into the incident on September 18.”

French Football Federation (FFF) rules allow for a ban of anything from eight matches to two years for such an offence.

The 34-year-old former Marseille striker was suspended for four matches last season for elbowing PSG’s Yohan Cabaye at the Parc des Princes while playing for Saint-Etienne.

Brit Carlin wins 800m freestyle

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Jazmin Carlin launched herself into the upper realms of distance swimming with victory in the 800 metres freestyle while ‘Iron Lady’ Katinka Hosszu won three medals on a night of quality racing at the European Championships yesterday.

Only American Katie Ledecky, on the road to greatness at 17, has swum faster than Carlin in a textile suit, the Briton picking up her second title in three weeks following Commonwealth gold.

She set a new championship record of 8:15.54 minutes ahead of Mireia Belmonte Garcia and Boglorka Kapas.

Ledecky swam more than three seconds quicker earlier yesterday at the Pan-Pacific Championships in Australia, but Carlin has intense speed through the water only to lose ground at the turns so there is room for further cuts in the Welshwoman’s times.

Hosszu added the 200m individual medley title to her 400m gold, shared 100m backstroke with 17-year-old Mie Nielsen before anchoring Hungary to bronze in the 4x200m freestyle.

Germany’s Marco Koch raised the roof by winning the 200m breaststroke title.

Belmonte Garcia took the 800m freestyle out in an attempt to break the field, Carlin going with her but losing ground at each turn.

Carlin’s former coach Bud McAllister described her as “pitbull, rottweiler, whatever”, a reference to her tenacity.

McIlroy stumbles to worst start in 2 months

PARAMUS, New Jersey (AP) — Rory McIlroy got off to his worst start in two months yesterday with a three-over 74 in The Barclays.

Coming off three straight victories — two of them major championships — McIlroy took a double bogey on his third hole and never got on track at Ridgewood Country Club as the FedEx Cup play-off began.

He didn’t make a birdie until his 14th hole, and McIlroy ended with a 30-foot birdie on his last hole.

Hunter Mahan, the only player to have competed in all 29 play-off events, joined Charles Howell III and Cameron Tringale for the lead at five-under 66 among the early starters.

It was the first time since the Irish Open that McIlroy failed to break par in the opening round.

QPR in loan deal with Chile’s Vargas

LONDON, England (AFP) — Premier League new boys QPR signed Chile forward Eduardo Vargas on a season-long loan from Italian club Napoli yesterday.

Vargas attracted interest from several top teams after helping Chile to the knockout stages of the World Cup, but QPR manager Harry Redknapp has persuaded him to move to Loftus Road.

“Eduardo is a quality player. He’s sharp, he’s bright, and he’s very lively on and off the ball,” Redknapp said.

“He can play as a number nine, he can play in behind, he can play wide, he’s very versatile.”

The deal for Vargas comes 24 hours after Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer completed his move to QPR from Norwich for 8 million.

Both signings will bolster a QPR side that suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Hull on the opening day of the Premier League season following their promotion via the Championship play-offs in May.