CLEVELAND (AP) — Restricted free agent forward Isaac Okoro has agreed to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Okoro's new deal is worth $38 million, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed or announced by the team.
ESPN.com first reported the agreement, citing Okoro's representation.
The fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Okoro is Cleveland's best perimeter defender, often drawing the assignment of guarding the opponent's top scorer. Okoro also has worked to improve his offensive game.
The 23-year-old averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 69 games — 42 starts — last season for the Cavs, who beat Orlando in the opening round of the playoffs before losing to eventual champion Boston.
Okoro shot a career-best 39% on 3-pointers, forcing teams to come out and guard him.
His agreement caps an extraordinarily busy summer for the Cavs that began with coach J.B. Bickerstaff being fired and replaced by Kenny Atkinson. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell signed a three-year, $150 million extension in July, ending months of speculation that he wanted out of Cleveland.
Also, power forward Evan Mobley signed a five-year, $224 deal and center Jarrett Allen signed a three-year, $91 million extension.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro drives during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
Four-time Grand Prix series medalist Rika Kihira will miss the upcoming figure skating season because of a stress fracture in her right ankle that has not fully healed, the Japanese star announced Wednesday.
Kihira said recent MRI results showed the ankle is healing but it had not reached the point where she could skate “at full strength and confidence.” So with just over a year left before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, Kihira decided in consultation with longtime coach Brian Orser to focus on recovery and training rather than trying to compete.
“I will continue practicing, training, and receiving treatment without putting too much strain on my injury. I will continue to work hard every day to improve my skills and make a full recovery,” Kihira said.
The figure skating season began in earnest last weekend with the Lombardia Trophy in Italy.
World champion Ilia Malinin of the U.S. continued his push toward the Olympics by winning the men's event ahead of Japanese rivals Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato. Amber Glenn and Sarah Everhardt went a somewhat surprising 1-2 for the U.S. in the women's event, while American ice dancers Annabelle Morozov and Jeffrey Chen finished second.
The Nebelhorn Trophy is this weekend in Germany, but the first major international competition is Skate America beginning Oct. 18 in Allen, Texas. That begins the six-event Grand Prix series leading up to the Grand Prix Final on Dec. 5 in France.
The 22-year-old Kihira, who won the Grand Prix Final in 2019 while setting the world record for a women's short program at the time, will have some ground to make up if she wants to make the Olympic team. Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto will be among the favorites to win gold, while compatriots Mone Chiba and Mao Shimada also are medal contenders.
“I will continue to work hard every day, looking forward to the day when I can skate freely in front of everyone, without anxiety and with confidence,” Kihira said. “Though I will not be competing this season, I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received up until now, and continue to receive now. I hope you will continue to support me with kindness.”
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
FILE - Rika Kihira of Japan reacts following her free skate program at the Skate Canada International figure skating competition in Mississauga, Ontario, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
