Indiana Fever All-Star Caitlin Clark is finally feeling like herself again.

After being limited to 13 games in the 2025 WNBA season because of a series of soft tissue injuries, Clark said ‘it feels nice to finally be back to a hundred percent’ following her first Team USA senior training camp practice.

‘I put together a pretty incredible stretch of never missing a game,’ Clark said during her media availability on Friday. ‘The fact is when you’re a professional athlete, it’s going to come at some point. That’s just how it goes. I think it’s honestly taught me more than I’ve probably ever learned through the course of my career of how to take care of your body, how to get right, how to stay healthy, and then just taking time for yourself.’

Clark has to shake off some rust. She gave up a side-step, game-winning 3-pointer to Paige Bueckers, who confidently said ‘that’s game’ and white (team) wins’ during Friday’s practice scrimmage. Despite dealing with some early nerves, Clark said being on the court again was ‘pretty satisfying.’

‘It just made me smile quite a bit. I really did kind of feel like myself out there,’ she said on Friday. ‘Just continuing to get my lungs back, but I felt like I was moving really well.’

USA BASKETBALL: Paige Bueckers, ‘young and turnt’ rookies bring swag to Team USA camp

The practice was a full-circle moment for Clark, who wasn’t selected to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a decision that sparked controversy. But Clark said she didn’t feel disappointed about being excluded. ‘It could’ve gone either way of me being on the team or not being on the team,’ she said in June 2024. Instead, it gave Clark ‘a little more motivation’ and something to work toward.

‘In my past, it’s been all junior (Team USA) national teams and I’ve been cut from some of those and I’ve played for three of them. I’ve experienced both sides of it,’ Clark said on Friday. ‘This is the biggest honor you can possibly have, playing basketball in our country is wearing USA across your chest. I’m just excited to be here and honored. Obviously it’s kind of like the start to the new Olympic cycle.’

Clark said she felt nervous when she first stepped on the court at practice alongside her compatriots, who feature a mix of young stars (that Bueckers dubbed the ‘young and turnt’ core) and experienced veterans. Clark last played in the WNBA on July 15 before being sidelined by a right groin injury and missing rest of the regular season and the Fever’s postseason run to the semifinals.

‘It was one injury and then it was a little better and then it kind of continued to compound and get worse and other things pop up. And then I had the ankle injury,’ Clark recalled on Friday. ‘I did everything I could to try to be able to come back and be able to play for my team, but it just didn’t really work. I think that was almost a way of relief for myself, just knowing that I gave everything I could to possibly try to play, but my body just wasn’t really letting me.’

Clark continued to rehab after the season ended, a process she said ‘took probably longer than I expected’ adding her ‘body’s in a really good spot.’

And the nerves quickly melted away when she was back in her element. ‘When I touched the basketball to start warming up before the practice even started, that’s probably when I felt pretty comfortable,’ she said.

‘I’ve worked so hard. I haven’t taken a break since the beginning of the (2025) WNBA season, just all my rehab and getting back to where I wanted to be,’ she explained. ‘This has kind of been my next thing that I’ve been working for since our season ended. … For myself, it’s not proving it to yourself again, but it’s just that feeling.’

USA women’s national team managing director Sue Bird said she’s noticed a new level of maturity from Clark following her injury-plagued season.

‘I can really only imagine, for a player like Caitlin, you come off your college season — epic. You go straight to your (rookie) WNBA season. You finish a first-teamer,’ Bird said on Thursday. ‘You have this long offseason, where you probably can’t wait to get back on the court only to have a couple of injuries sideline her.

‘That is a challenge for a player… I thought what was most impressive was just the way she’s staying engaged. You could see it whether you’re watching (the Fever) on TV or you’re catching something on social media. … I think that really shows her maturity.’

Clark has been busy in the offseason, rehabbing, attending the Team USA camp and even participating in the Annika Pro-Am golf exhibition last month. Clark said she ‘plans to play in the WNBA’ for the upcoming season as CBA negotiations continue, but noted that her golfing career may be over.

‘I put the golf clubs away now,’ she joked. ‘I’m truly focused on basketball. It makes my body a little sore, so I would rather just stick to basketball. But I love it and it’s always great to be outside.’

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The University of Colorado approved a $1.5 million annual salary for new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
Marion’s salary is nearly double that of the previous offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur.
Colorado is increasing its investment in football to remain competitive, which includes a $10 million annual contract for head coach Deion Sanders.

The University of Colorado’s Board of Regents has approved a big pay raise for one of Deion Sanders’ top assistant football coaches even as the university’s athletic department projects a $27 million deficit for the current fiscal year ending in June 2026.

The contract for new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion calls for him to be paid $1.5 million per year through Jan. 31, 2028, according to the contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The regents unanimously approved it on Dec. 12.

Marion, 38, previously was the head coach at Sacramento State and was hired by Deion Sanders last week. Marion will make nearly double what Colorado’s previous offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, made this year — $850,000.

Shurmur was stripped of play-calling duties after a 53-7 loss at Utah Oct. 25. His contract expires Jan. 31, 2026 and was not renewed, unlike the contract of Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, whose pay was nearly doubled in February from $800,000 in 2024 to $1.5 million. This year, Livingston will make $1.7 million, including a $100,000 retention bonus due Sept. 1, 2026. Both Livingston and Marion will be the highest-paid assistant coaches in Colorado history.

Colorado is upping its investment under Deion Sanders

It comes at a time of financial uncertainty for the university, which projects a $27 million deficit in athletics for fiscal year 2026, which ends on June 30, 2026.

But Colorado is upping its investment in football to stay relevant in college sports and keep up with the market. By paying their coordinators $1.5 million or more, the Buffaloes are still not paying the most in the Big 12 Conference. Utah in recent years paid its coordinators $2 million or more.

Colorado gave Sanders a new $10 million annual contract in March, up from $5.7 million in 2024. The university also has committed to pay a massive new expense this year that affects major universities nationwide — $20.5 million for athletes under the House-NCAA legal settlement.

The Buffaloes finished 3-9 during Sanders’ third season in 2025. By hiring Marion, they are hoping his unconventional Go-Go offense sparks a rebound for the team and leads to more sellout crowds at Folsom Field.

After selling out all six homes games in Sanders’ first season in 2023, the Buffs sold out three of seven home games in 2025. They still averaged more than 50,000 fans per game, up from 42,847 before Sanders arrived in 2022, when the team finished 1-11.

For Marion personally, his new contract marks the latest step for a coach who went homeless for a while at DeAnza College in Cupertino, California. He also is joining the staff of his childhood idol, Deion Sanders.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

Things just got significantly more interesting in the NBA Cup West semifinal.

The San Antonio Spurs are expecting to have phenom Victor Wembanyama back in action for their game Saturday, Dec. 13, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In an injury report issued Friday, Dec. 12, San Antonio upgraded Wembanyama to probable as he continues to recover from a left calf strain.

This provides a massive boost to San Antonio (17-7), which is looking to upset the defending NBA champions, who have raced out to a historic 24-1 start to the 2025-26 season.

‘I expect Victor to play tomorrow,’ Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters on Friday, Dec. 12. He also said he thinks Wembanyama will be excited but tired early in the game and ‘would expect an early sub and not his normal minutes.”

Wembanyama has missed the last 12 games for San Antonio, after the Spurs announced Nov. 17 that an MRI revealed a left calf strain diagnosis. Wembanyama suffered the injury during an NBA Cup Group C game against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 14. He finished the game but the Spurs lost by one point.

NBA teams have been cautious this season with calf strain injuries, opting to rest players for extended time out of fears that the injury could potentially be a precursor to more serious ailments, like Achilles ruptures.

Despite missing their star player, the Spurs went 9-3 in the 12 games Wembanyama was out. San Antonio relied on its speedy guards De’Aaron Fox, last year’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this year’s No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper to push the ball in transition and get easy buckets.

Wembanyama, 21, is averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds (ranked first in the NBA), 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks per game (also first).

San Antonio is currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference, though it has the same record as the Los Angeles Lakers.

Details of what led to Moore’s arrest were presented during a hearing at Washtenaw County court on Friday, Dec. 12. He is facing a felony count of home invasion and two misdemeanors: one count of stalking of a domestic relationship and one count of breaking and entering without owner’s permission.

Moore was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 10 after the Pittsfield Township Police Department responded to an incident at 4:10 p.m. ET ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.’ The police response came less than an hour before Moore was fired. He was booked into Washtenaw County Jail on Wednesday evening, where he stayed up until his court appearance.

Reached for comment by USA TODAY Sports after Friday’s court hearing a Michigan spokesman said the school had, ‘No additional comments at this time.’

Why was Sherrone Moore arrested?

Moore was arrested after an incident that occurred at the home of the Michigan staff member Moore had an ‘intimate relationship’ with. The staff member, who was not named, is listed as the accuser.

Prosecutors said the accuser had an intimate relationship with Moore ‘for a number of years’ and the accuser broke up with the defendant the morning of Monday, Dec. 8. Afterward, Moore allegedly made several phone calls and text messages to the accuser and she eventually presented information to the University of Michigan.

The Pittsfield Township Police Department said in a statement Moore entered the residence through an unlocked door without permission and a verbal argument ensued that escalated.

‘(Moore) then, at some point soon thereafter, came to her apartment in the address that is alleged in the complaint, barged his way into that apartment immediately, then proceeded to a kitchen drawer, grabbed several butter knives and a pair of kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life,’ first assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski first assistant said.

Rezmierski added Moore allegedly told the accuser ‘I’m going to kill myself,’ ‘I’m going to make you watch,’ ‘My blood is on your hands,’ and ‘You ruined my life.’

The accuser then called her attorney and when she indicated she was going to call police, Moore left, according to the prosecutor.

‘The totality of the behavior is highly threatening and highly intimidating,’ the prosecutor said.

Police responded to the residence roughly 30 minutes after Michigan announced Moore was fired. Officers located Moore in the city of Saline about five miles south of where the incident occurred. Police said he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and afterward, was placed at Washtenaw County Jail.

Sherrone Moore charges, bail: Third-degree home invasion, stalking

According to Michigan penal code, third degree home invasion is defined as:

Breaking and entering a dwelling with intent to commit a misdemeanor in the dwelling, entering a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a misdemeanor in the dwelling, or breaking and entering a dwelling or entering a dwelling without permission and, at any time while he or she is entering, present in, or exiting the dwelling, commits a misdemeanor.

Moore was charged third-degree assault for allegedly ‘unlawfully entering the accuser’s residence to commit the crime of stalking, and committing that crime while in the residence.’ Third-degree home invasion is a felony punishable for up to five years in prison or a fine up to $2,000, or both.

The stalking charge is a misdemeanor punishable for up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, and the breaking and entering or entering without owner’s permission carried a maximum punishment of up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Bond was set to $25,000 and Moore was ordered to not have any contact with the accuser.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took control of the AFC North race with a win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. They’ll look to extend that lead in prime time against the Miami Dolphins on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 15.

They may have to do it without one of their best players.

Linebacker T.J. Watt is unlikely to play against the Dolphins, per multiple reports, after undergoing surgery to repair his lung.

Watt’s brother, J.J., shared an update on Dec. 12:

Watt, a four-time All-Pro, hasn’t missed a game in the last three years. He’s on pace for his lowest sack total since 2022 – when he missed seven games – with just 7.0 through 13 games. Watt’s made at least the Pro Bowl in each of the last seven seasons.

Here’s what to know about Watt:

TJ Watt injury update

Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung on Dec. 10 and was hospitalized Thursday to repair it. His lung partially collapsed reportedly during a dry needling treatment.

This is not expected to be a season-ending injury for the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He may miss Week 15 but should be back before the end of the regular season.

With Watt likely out, Pittsburgh’s defense will rely more on rookie Jack Sawyer and/or Nick Herbig on the edge opposite Alex Highsmith against Miami.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a treatment for muscle pain or tightness that uses thin, sharp needles to target a muscle trigger point, similar to acupuncture but with fewer needles.

These trigger points are areas of tight muscle tissue that can arise due to various issues. By targeting these trigger points, dry needling can help by increasing blood flow and reducing pain.

NFL players can often have dry needling performed at team facilities to help with muscle soreness during the season. Watt’s treatment not an unusual but it’s unusual that his lung partially collapsed during treatment.

The ‘Hawkeye’ star, 29, is expecting her first child with husband and NFL player Josh Allen, 29.

Steinfeld shared the news on Instagram Friday, Dec. 12, to share the big news with a sweet video of the two of them embracing. The NFL quarterback and the ‘Sinners’ actress hug and share a kiss in the video, which features her baby bump on display as she pulls up her sweater, which reads ‘mother’ in all caps. They hold hands as they look back at the camera, which pans down to feature a tiny snowman in between them, wearing a red scarf.

The ‘True Grit’ actress and the Buffalo Bills QB have been romantically linked since 2023, but they have always been quite private about their relationship. The couple did not go Instagram official until July 2024, when Allen shared a carousel that included a photo of himself and Steinfeld in Paris, though her face wasn’t visible in the picture.

USA TODAY has reached out to Steinfield’s rep for comment.

By November 2024, Steinfeld and Allen confirmed their engagement. A joint Instagram post at the time showed a photo of the NFL star down on one knee in front of a large floral arch, and they shared the date that he popped the question: ’11•22•24.’

Allen later revealed, in a conversation with Steinfeld for her Beau Society newsletter, that the morning he was preparing to pop the question, she asked him, ‘Can we get married already?’

‘I said ‘I couldn’t wait any longer.’ I said ‘I can’t wait to start a family with you.’ I said your full name, and I asked you very nicely. I said please,’ Allen recalled. ‘You were extremely surprised, you said ‘yes,’ and that was all that mattered to me. And the sun was out.’

‘It feels unbelievable to be engaged to someone who is so special and loving and caring and gorgeous and fun and happy,’ he added.

Steinfeld later wrote in her newsletter that the weekend of the wedding was ‘the best weekend of our lives.’

In a recent interview with Bustle, the ‘True Grit’ star shared that she ‘actually lost my breath’ when she tried on her wedding dress for the first time, adding, ‘I literally thank God every day that I found my person, and it’s the greatest thing in the world. Life makes sense. Everything makes sense. I feel like I am stepping into the version that I’ve always dreamed of being, having so much to do with being with him.’

When asked in the Bustle profile if she was thinking about kids with Allen, Steinfeld immediately replied, ‘Of course.’

The United States’ 1980 Olympic men’s hockey team was honored by President Donald Trump during a Congressional Gold Medal Act bill signing on Friday, Dec. 12 inside the Oval Office at the White House.

In attendance were 13 members of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team, which famously defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games. Among those present were Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig, Buzz Schneider and family members of the late Herb Brooks, who coached the team. This comes on the brink of the 45th anniversary of the win over the Soviet Union.

‘This was one of the greatest moments in the history of U.S. sports,’ President Trump said at the bill signing.

In a statement to USA TODAY on the event, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team was being honored for its ‘American greatness’ and the ‘resurgence of national pride’ the win over the Soviet Union brought to the country.

‘President Trump will honor the legendary 1980 Olympic men’s ice hockey team whose ‘Miracle on Ice’ resulted in a historic and symbolic victory against the Soviet Union. This triumph fueled a resurgence of national pride as Americans across the country watched Team USA unexpectedly take home the Gold Medal. No one is more committed to honoring American greatness and patriotism than President Trump,’ Rogers said.

On behalf of the team, Eruzione presented Trump with a replica of the cowboy hat that the team wore at the opening ceremonies in Lake Placid.

‘This is an absolutely incredible honor. I’ve said this before, but when you put a USA jersey on, you’re playing for your country, you’re not playing for your state, your town, or your city. And what an honor it was for us to put that jersey on and accomplish what we accomplished,’ Eruzione said during the bill signing. ‘I’ve always said the gold medal is something that’s incredible, but this is the frosting on the cake.’

Added Craig: ‘It’s an honor to be here. I’m so proud of all my teammates and what we have accomplished for our country. When you get a chance to represent your country, whether it’s in the military or a sport, you can do something really special like my team did and then be recognized years later.’

The win over the Soviet Union, of course, came after Brooks’ team sustained a 10-3 defeat to the USSR in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden in New York before the start of the Lake Placid Games. In the rematch, the United States got its revenge by pulling off a come-from-behind 4-3 win, thanks to Eruzione’s game-winning goal in the third period.

The win also snapped a four-Games stretch of winning the gold medal for the Soviet Union.

Two days after beating the Soviet Union, the United States would defeat Finland in the gold medal match to win the nation’s first Olympic gold medal since 1960.

The NHL is set to make its return to the Winter Olympics next month in Italy for the first time since the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.

USA TODAY White House correspondent Joey Garrison contributed to this story

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was ordered to continue mental health treatment as a condition of his bond.
Moore faces charges including felony third-degree home invasion and misdemeanor stalking after an incident at a staffer’s home.
Prosecutors allege Moore forced his way into the staffer’s apartment and threatened self-harm after being fired.
Moore’s bond was set at $25,000, and he will be required to wear a GPS tether upon release.

This article discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was ordered by a judge on Dec. 12 to continue mental health treatment as a condition of his bond, after Moore allegedly threatened self-harm at the home of a Michigan staffer prior to his arrest by police. 

Moore was arraigned in Washentaw County district court and charged with third-degree home invasion, stalking (domestic relationship) and breaking and entering. Third-degree home invasion is a felony charge, while the other two charges are misdemeanors.

Moore appeared at the hearing via video conference, wearing all-white, jail issued shirt and pants. He sat with his hands clasped in his lap and spoke only when addressed by the judge, to state his name and to say, ‘Yes, your Honor.’

Michigan announced Moore’s firing in a statement at 4:43 p.m. ET on Dec. 10, minutes after police report they were called to an Ann Arbor-area apartment complex at 4:10 p.m. to investigate ‘an alleged assault.’ Moore was arrested and booked into the Washtenaw County Jail that evening, where he has since remained, according to jail records.

In its statement, the university said Moore was fired for cause after an investigation found ‘credible evidence’ that he ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’

The Michigan staff member has not been named in police or court documents.

Kati Rezmierski, the first assistant prosecutor, said in court on Dec. 12 that Moore and the staff member were in an intimate relationship for ‘a number of years’ until Dec. 8, when the staff member broke up with Moore and began to cooperate with the university’s investigation. After Moore was fired, he went to the staffer’s apartment and forced his way inside, grabbed several butter knives and pair of kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life. “Your blood is on my hands,” Moore allegedly said, according to the prosecutor.

The staff member called her attorney and then indicated she was going to call police, at which point Moore left. He was arrested nearby a short time later.

Rezmierski argued that Moore posed a threat to public safety, a suggestion refuted by Moore’s defense attorney, Joseph Simon.

Simon said Moore was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Health System for a mental health evaluation following his arrest on Dec. 10 but was then turned back over to law enforcement. Moore had a second mental health evaluation on Dec. 11. Simon added that Moore had no weapons to surrender and would ‘absolutely comply’ with future mental health evaluations ordered by the court.

Bond, release conditions for Moore include GPS tracking

Moore’s bond was set at $25,000 and he will be required to wear a GPS tether upon his release. The presiding judge, Odetalla M. Odetalla, directed Moore not to use alcohol, marijuana or non-prescribed drugs, not to purchase a weapon or engage in criminal conduct and not to leave the state of Michigan without the court’s permission.

Odatella also ordered Moore to avoid contacting the victim by phone, in person “or any other form of contact the human mind could possibly fathom.”

When asked if he understood, Moore replied, ‘Yes, Your Honor.’

The next court hearing in Moore’s case is a probable cause conference set for Jan. 22.

“I’m still processing that,” Harbaugh said Friday. “Still processing that like a lot of people I’m sure.’

Harbaugh, the former Michigan coach, had no further comment on Moore.

Michigan fired Moore “for cause” on Dec. 10 after the university found credible evidence that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the university announced.

Moore was arrested in the immediate hours after his dismissal from Michigan and placed in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail in Michigan as part of what police called an assault investigation. According to court documents released Dec. 12, Moore faces criminal allegations of felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Harbaugh originally hired Moore as Michigan’s tight ends coach in 2018. Under Harbaugh, Moore moved up the ladder to co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2021. He was then the sole title-holder of the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator role in 2023.

Harbaugh and Moore were both involved in a sign-stealing scandal at Michigan. The NCAA gave Harbaugh, who coached the Wolverines from 2015-2023, a 10-year show cause after completing an investigation into the sign-stealing scandal, which will take effect Aug. 7, 2028, when the four-year show cause he was given from a separate NCAA investigation ends. The NCAA handed Moore a two-year show cause order and suspended him for a game in the 2026 season. Michigan self-imposed a two-game suspension for Moore for the 2025 season.

Harbaugh recommended Moore to replace him when Harbaugh accepted the Chargers head coaching position in January 2024. Michigan hired Moore as their head coach a few weeks after Harbaugh left for Los Angeles.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.