It was going to be the shining moment in Carmelo Anthony's return to the NBA. Just 15 minutes into his debut with the Portland Trail Blazers, the 10-time All-Star rose up for an epic posterizing slam. There was just one problem, and his name was Jaxson Hayes.

"I thought he was going to try and lay it up," Hayes said after the game.

The No. 8 overall pick, himself making just the second start of his career, denied Anthony's dunk attempt, one of three blocks he had in what turned into a 115-104 win for the New Orleans Pelicans.

NOPE!#WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/QV1dY5YUEw

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 20, 2019

A month earlier, when the season began, Hayes found himself in a far different position: glued to the bench. But injuries have forced Hayes and fellow first-round pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker into much bigger roles far earlier than expected.

With No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson shut down after just nine minutes of summer league action in Las Vegas, it was New Orleans' other two first-round picks who shined in the Las Vegas spotlight.

Alexander-Walker, the No. 17 overall pick out of Virginia Tech, was a first-team All-Summer League selection, after averaging 24.3 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Hayes, meanwhile, provided Zion-like highlight dunks and posted averages of 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. Still, when the regular season arrived, both were out of the rotation.

Alexander-Walker averaged just 13 minutes per night in the first three games of the season, all while shooting a dismal 17% from the field. Hayes didn't play at all in those games and looked like he was going to spend the 2019-20 season sitting and watching. Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin went on record during the summer saying the team initially thought of this season as more of a "redshirt" year for the No. 8 overall pick from Texas.

But on Oct. 28 against the Golden State Warriors, thanks to a combination of injuries and a score that got out of hand in favor of the new tenants in San Francisco, Hayes and Alexander-Walker each had their chance to shine.

That night, the Pelicans fell behind by 17 points at halftime and were down 24 entering the fourth quarter. With the game out of hand, head coach Alvin Gentry gave his rookies extended run.

"I don't think anything can [top] the experience of being in the game," Gentry said last week. "Learning from your mistakes or just figuring out what you can do to help the team in a positive standpoint. Hopefully this is something that can help us down the road."

In his first regular-season game, Hayes had 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting -- and one of those misses was a desperation three-pointer from the other side of the court. He also recorded his first blocked shot against two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Meanwhile, Alexander-Walker seemed to have a breakthrough with 15 points and nine assists on 6-of-11 shooting.

"Garbage time is another man's opportunity to find his rhythm and confidence," said Antonio Daniels, who serves as the New Orleans Pelicans' television color commentator. "Coaches used to tell us, if you're in the end of the game like that, you can find your stroke."

Since that night, with the Pelicans' injuries piling up and the team lacking healthy bodies, the rookies' roles have continued to expand.

When the Pelicans were down to eight healthy players against the Heat on Nov. 16 and nine players against the Warriors the following night, Alexander-Walker averaged 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while hitting 11-of-22 from 3-point range. He's played at least 20 minutes four times this season. In those four games, he's averaging 16.0 PPG while shooting 45.8% from long distance.

He insists he's taking the same shots he took early in the season -- they're just falling more now, like they did in the preseason, when he went 14-of-30 from beyond the arc. Still, his unflappable approach to the game has earned him the respect of his teammates.

"He might be my favorite player on the team," All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday said earlier this season. "Kiel, the way he's coming in, being fearless. It's pretty cool."

Meanwhile, Hayes was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries to centers Derrick Favors and Jahlil Okafor. Favors left the Miami game with back spasms. After replacing him in the starting five, Hayes averaged 2.3 blocks per game over his first four starts.

Gentry said the 6-foot-11, 220-pound Hayes still has a ways to go on defense, but part of that will come as his body continues to fill in.

"I think he understands that. Part of that is having the strength to hold your position and the core to hold your position," Gentry said. "At 19, his body is still developing. The more he's out there, the more I think it will help."

Hayes said he doesn't feel like a deer in the headlights on defense anymore, and he credits the early playing time in low-pressure situations with helping him get adjusted so quickly.

"Just getting that rhythm and getting used to play a lot more definitely helps," he said. "Whenever somebody can get a rhythm going, it can definitely help."

Both players figure to see their playing time cut when the Pelicans are at full strength, although Hayes could steal away some of Jahlil Okafor's minutes. But they all know their number could get called at any moment.

"Being a rookie, I just learned that being a professional means being ready at all times," Alexander-Walker said. "Guys can go out any minute. I might hear my name get called and be able to be perform."

Review follows four-year ban of former Nike Oregon Project head coach Alberto Salazar

UK Athletics (UKA) has commissioned an independent review into the national governing body’s dealings with the now-disbanded Nike Oregon Project (NOP), following the four-year ban handed to former Oregon Project head coach Alberto Salazar.

In September 2015, UKA said it had found “no reason to be concerned” about the engagement of British athletes and coaches with the Oregon Project, despite doping allegations having been made against Salazar (pictured above).

But the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced last month that Salazar and Dr Jeffrey Brown had been banned for four years for “multiple anti-doping rule violations”.

Both Salazar and Brown are appealing their bans, with the hearings unlikely to take place before March.

Salazar coached a number of top athletes at the Oregon Project, including Britain’s Mo Farah.

The American coach has denied any wrongdoing, while there is no suggestion that Farah has violated any rules.

UKA performance director Neil Black stepped down in October following criticism of the governing body and Black for using Salazar as an advisor and allowing Farah to work with him.

“UKA acknowledges the seriousness of the decision by USADA,” reads a UKA statement in part. “It has now commissioned the Independent Review to review the processes under which the issues concerning the NOP were investigated in 2015 and 2017 and the subsequent related decisions made by the UKA Board at those respective times. The Independent Review will also set out any recommendations to assist UKA ensure its future governance and assurance framework is robust.”

UKA added that the review will be undertaken by John Mehrzad – a sports law barrister and sub-3hr marathon runner with Mornington Chasers.

According to the UKA statement, the independent review will address the following:

A. UKA commissioned a review of the issues raised by the BBC Panorama programme ‘Catch me if you can’, broadcast in June 2015:
1) Were the terms of reference for that review reasonable given the nature of the allegations?
2) Were that review’s findings and conclusions presented in a reasonable way to enable the UKA Board to make informed decisions?
3) Were the subsequent decisions and recommendations made by the UKA Board reasonable with regard to the evidence available at the time?

B. Did the UKA Board give reasonable consideration to the ‘Fancy Bears’ leaking of the draft USADA report in 2017? Were the subsequent actions of the UKA Board reasonable with regard to the evidence available at the time?

C. Did UKA seek advice from UK Sport, UKAD and USADA in relation to the above issues in 2015 and 2017 respectively and, if so, did any of those bodies provide any formal response or guidance to the UKA in either 2015 or 2017?

D. Were the recommendations in the 2015 review reasonably actioned, tracked and documented by UKA in a manner which minimised future risk?

E. What lessons can be learnt from the above matters that can assist with the future governance of UKA?

“There has been much written about what the Oregon Project review looked into, found or concluded in 2015, and I therefore welcome this review as an opportunity to establish the full facts and for those facts to be published for all to see,” said Sarah Rowell, chair of the UKA performance oversight committee and of the governing body’s 2015 Oregon Project review.

UKA chair Chris Clark said: “The UKA Board recognises the seriousness of the USADA decision released at the start of October. It has unanimously agreed that an independent review should now be carried out with the aim that findings and recommendations are published in or around spring 2020.

“Our staff, athletes and coaches show immense dedication to this sport and are proud to be associated with British Athletics. We need to ensure we have a clear way forward that gives us confidence in the integrity of our coaching efforts.

“If there are lessons to be learnt, we plan to implement any recommendations into a future focused, transparent and accountable way of working.”

Former Coventry Godiva chairman seeking “root and branch” review of UKA

Zara Hyde Peters has been called on to apologise over the controversy which has resulted in her not taking up the position of UK Athletics chief executive.

The former endurance athlete had been due to start work with the governing body on December 1 but, following claims she allowed her husband Mike Peters to continue to coach at Coventry Godiva Harriers following his ban from teaching due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a 15-year-old girl, Hyde Peters’ second spell at UKA ended on Monday before it had even begun.

Multiple reports by The Times newspaper alleged that Peters managed and coached a team with Coventry Godiva Harriers, which included athletes under the age of 18, following his teaching ban and that he did so without the relevant disclosure checks or coaching licence.

At the time Hyde Peters was a coaching co-ordinator and then vice-chair at the club but reportedly did not raise any safeguarding issues.

An emergency UKA Board meeting was convened on Sunday, at which it was decided Hyde Peters’ position was untenable.

“I have agreed with the Board of UK Athletics that for the good of the sport I will not take up the role of CEO in light of recent media reporting,” said Hyde Peters, who worked with UKA from 2000-2008. “This has been one of the most painful experiences I have ever had to face.

“‘Trial by media’ is almost impossible to deal with and is not a process that properly protects the rights of those caught up in it. I have been a life long participant in, and contributor to, the sport of athletics.

“I have always respected the interests of the sport and my fellow competitors, the officials, and all the many volunteers involved; these are the most important things to me.”

However Martin Slevin, the former Coventry Godiva chair and police detective chief inspector who brought the claims against the Peters’ to light, said: “My view is that she is clearly not accepting that any action she took was inappropriate.”

Asked if Hyde Peters needed to make an apology, Slevins added: “Absolutely she does. I tried in vain to deal with this matter appropriately through the Coventry Godiva committee in 2016 and when they took no action I again endeavoured to deal with the matter in April and May of 2017 when I became aware that Mike Peters was still officiating at the club in terms of the Midlands track and field league where any scrutiny would have shown 15 and 16-year-old girls were in that team and I wasn’t prepared at that point to let it be swept under the carpet.”

Coventry Godiva have been approached for comment, but in a statement posted to the club’s website, the committee said: “Following recent news in the press regarding current and former members, the Club assures all members that welfare and safeguarding matters are taken very seriously to ensure there is a safe environment for all. The Club follows UKA Guidance on Codes of Conduct for athletes and volunteers, and DBS checks for all volunteers with a UKA qualification.

“Earlier this year the Club started a consultation with members as it approaches its 150th anniversary. Alongside this we will reflect how the Club and UKA dealt with past issues, and ensure that current welfare and safeguarding procedures reflect best practice going forward. If members or their families have any concerns they should speak with the Club Welfare Officer – Job King, and for all serious matters raise directly with UKA Welfare or the Police.”

Slevin also believes an independent “root and branch” review of UKA is now required.

“When you look at all the issues they’ve faced – in terms of poor financial management over the World Cup, the VAT bill for £500,000, the Nike Oregon project issue and now this – how can anyone in our sport have confidence going forward unless there is a root and branch review of the processes and leadership currently at UK Athletics?

“It’s important for the sport going forward that these things are now out in the open and that there is a full and independent review. (UKA chair) Chris Clark now has a mountain to climb and his comments coming out in support of Zara Hyde Peters were ill-judged. I think he’s got a long way to go now to really establish his credibility in the sport. Whether he manages to do that, only time will tell.

“The sport is in a crisis and is at a crossroads where strong and impartial leadership is called for.”

Tennis player Elena Baltacha is to be remembered in a BBC Alba documentary.

Olympian Baltacha died of cancer in 2014 at the age of 30, having retired from tennis a few months earlier.

The documentary, to be broadcast on Sunday, 1 December at 21:00 GMT, will feature interviews with her husband Nino Severino and her former Fed Cup captain Judy Murray.

Brazilian side Chapecoense have been relegated to the second division for the first time in their history, three years after a tragic plane crash that killed most of their players.

Chapecoense lost 1-0 at home to Botafogo on Wednesday to end their hopes of remaining in the top division for a seventh straight campaign.

- Sam Borden: The Unthinkable Fate of Chapecoense

The result left Chapecoense second bottom out of 20 teams, with 28 points and three games remaining.

While they could still catch 16th-placed Ceara, who hold the last position of safety with 37 points, they would still finish behind them as the competition's first tiebreaker is games won. Chapecoense have won six games while Ceara have won 10.

Chapecoense made it to Serie A for the first time in 2014 and finished 15th and 14th in their first two top-flight seasons.

"I want to apologise to the fans for not achieving our aim to remain in the division," Chapecoense coach Marquinhos Santos told reporters. "I'm certain that Chapecoense will return much stronger."

Captain Douglas said: "It's a delicate moment, difficult to find words in this situation. We players are very sorry to leave Chapecoense in this situation, but Chapecoense has always shown unity.

"I think this is the time for the whole community to unite again, rearrange things, leave everything on track for Chapecoense to return to Serie A, which is the club's place, and continue to build this beautiful story."

Despite losing 19 players and staff on Nov. 28, 2016, in a plane crash near Medelllin, Colombia, the team avoided relegation that season. They lifted the Santa Caterina state championship in May 2017; their first title since the plane crash that killed 71 of the 77 people on board.

The crash occurred as the squad travelled to face Colombian side Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

Rahul Dravid believes IPL franchises are "missing a trick" with regard to their support staff appointments by not involving more Indian coaches. Dravid felt Indian coaches were as good as any in the world, and even if not appointed at the top of the tree, they would add value as assistant coaches too, given that a majority of players in every IPL franchise are Indian.

"I believe we've got some very good coaches, a lot of good people. I'm fully confident [in their ability]. Just as we have a lot of talent in the cricket department, we have a lot of talent in the coaching department," Dravid said in Lucknow on Thursday. "We need to give them confidence and time to flourish. I'm sure they will do it.

"It does sometimes disappoint me when a lot of our boys don't get opportunities as assistant coaches in IPL. Honestly, there are so many Indian players in the IPL, there's so much of local knowledge [among our coaches]. I feel a lot of teams could actually benefit from using a lot of our Indian coaches in the IPL. They know the Indian players better, they understand them better. Even as assistant coaches… there is a lot of talent and ability. It just needs to be given the opportunity, and flourish."

In an expanded role as the NCA director, from previously being the head coach of India A and India Under-19, part of Dravid's remit is also to develop Indian coaches in addition to overseeing the next rung of talent in Indian cricket.

"A part of our goal is to create a programme for coaches as well, so that we can give them certain skills in which they can develop - and hopefully then get the opportunities to work at a slightly higher level," Dravid said. "I think a lot of IPL teams miss a trick by not using more domestic talent in the coaching area and the talent identification area, even if it is as assistants. That's my personal opinion.

"It's not for me to decide for franchises and head coaches what they do, but I think they miss a trick by not involving more Indian coaches. Indian coaches understand and know the system, and they know a lot of Indian players. Every IPL team has at least 17-18 Indian players. It's my personal view, but I would love to see a lot of our boys get the opportunity to be in and around that environment. Hopefully we can work with some teams to try and ensure that."

Dravid was in Lucknow to observe the ongoing one-day series between India Under-19 and Afghanistan Under-19 as part of preparations for the World Cup early next year. Victory in the fourth one-dayer meant India took a winning 3-1 lead in the series. Dravid said the trickle-down effect of the success of India's pacers had in international cricket could be seen in how many young cricketers were taking up pace bowling at the age-group level.

"Every year now in Under-19 cricket, we've had some very good fast bowlers," Dravid said. "Last time, (in the Under-19 World Cup 2018), we had three of them in Kamlesh (Nagarkoti), Shivam (Mavi) and Ishan (Porel). This year also you will see some good fast bowlers in the team."

‘I’m still a bit stiff but playing will help me start moving better’
By JEROME ELHAIK – Squash Mad Correspondent

With a successful comeback to the court, and plans in place to represent his country and return to the PSA World Tour, Grégory Gaultier can at last afford himself the luxury of looking forward in hope rather than looking back in despair.

After being out for 13 months because of a serious knee injury, Gaultier returned to competition last Saturday at a French League match in his home club, Annecy.

He will be back on the PSA World Tour in New York in January, but before that the French General will be a big asset for France at the World Team Championship (15-21 December) in Washington.

We caught up with the 2015 World Champion, who is now willing to look forward after going through hell.

HIS COMEBACK

“I felt very emotional before the match (author’s note: which he won against 18-year old from Créteil, Manuel Paquemar), especially because it was in my home club and many people came to support me. Some of them saw me when I was on crutches and feeling down, and all they wanted was to see me back on court. I enjoyed myself during the match and had no pain whatsoever.

“My knee is feeling much better now than a month ago, when I started training on the whole court again. When you’ve been out for so long, it’s only natural to be cautious. I was compensating and using my left leg a lot, which led to a few niggles here and there.

“I’ve done a lot of weightlifting to regain some muscle mass, a lot of biking for the cardio fitness as well as some solo drills to get the feel back with the racquet. Now that things are moving in the right direction, I am gonna be able to concentrate on more specific footwork exercises, in order to get my speed back. Then, my first step will be quicker, I’ll be able to volley more etc. The more I’ll play, the more my joint – which is still a bit stiff – will loosen up.”

THE END OF A NIGHTMARE

“I went through hell, but I fought every single day to have a chance to play squash again – which has been the thing I love since I’ve been four years old. A lot of people suggested I should give up, and others even said I may be able to play again but at an amateur level (he laughs) … Obviously they didn’t know me very well!

“I didn’t really pay attention to be honest, because I am the one who gets to decide when my career is over. Of course, I need to go step by step and I cannot set big targets too quickly. Besides, beyond playing competitively again, the primary goal of the recovery was to prevent me from being disabled and to get back to a normal life.

“The doctor who carried out the second surgery did a great job, and we worked very hard with the physios so that my joints would regain their mobility. My whole staff – my physical trainer Thomas Adriaens, Renan Lavigne etc. – worked together to get me back on track, and of course I did my part of the job.

“It meant going through six-hour physio sessions, and doing tons of daily exercises. Some days were harder than others. When you are going through this kind of stuff, you ask yourself so many questions. But I’ve always had belief. Today I am seeing light out of the tunnel, and it’s a big step for me.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

THE POWER OF SUPPORT

“I am lucky enough to be surrounded by great people. There are Thomas and Renan whom I’ve mentioned before but also Yann Bourrel, Mathieu Benoit, Frédérique Barthelemy, Jean-Marc Poupel as well as all the physios at the National Centre in Aix-en-Provence.

“It’s easy to be by an athlete’s side when he’s a the top, but it’s a whole different story to stick with him when he’s hit rock bottom. These people know what kind of a person I am, and they did not want to give up on me.

“Let’s say we’ve done a few small things together (he laughs), for example when I won the World Championship in 2015. These are the kind of experiences you cannot forget. I know it’s not always easy to work with me because I demand a lot, but on the other hand my staff know I am disciplined and I always give one hundred per cent. That’s why they didn’t hesitate to spend countless hours brainstorming together, so we could find a way out of this …”

BACK ON THE TOUR IN 2020

“I get a lot of messages, some from people telling me they will only resume their Squash TV subscription once I am back on the tour! I’ve just registered for the Tournament of Champions (9-17 January in New York). I know I won’t be at my best yet, but I had to jump in at some point …

“Let’s not forget I suffered a very serious injury. My right leg isn’t 100 per cent yet and I need more rhythm. I think by February or March, it should be getting better and better. At this stage, I am not setting any goals in terms of ranking and so on. On the other hand, I am a competitor, and I am not gonna turn up at tournaments to make up the numbers.”

BUILDING SOMETHING SPECIAL AT ANNECY

“It was a great day last Saturday, there were a lot of teams across all levels playing next to each other. It was pretty packed, and the volunteers from the club did a great job as usual. All the players arrived the day before to hit with the kids from the academy, it was great to spend some time with them.

“As far as our project goes, there is still a lot to do and you can’t get everything right at first! But things are going in the right direction, and we started our regional training centre for the youngsters in September.

“We need to keep promoting squash towards kids – we’ve set up a partnership with some clubs in the area – as well as organising events such as the Annecy Rose Open, which will be a 20k PSA tournament in March 2020.

“As far as I am concerned, I am delighted to be involved in this project. I know a few things about squash (he laughs), and I am happy to bring my experience. Putting some energy into it, and diving into my role as a captain and travelling with the team when I couldn’t play, certainly helped in this difficult time.”

PULLING ON THE FRENCH SHIRT AGAIN  IN DECEMBER

“I am glad to be back on court, and even more so with France. The younger French players have been improving lately and are on the right track. Let’s hope that in the future they’ll win some medals in team events, like we did with the previous generations. In the meantime, I hope I am gonna be by their side for a few more years, before I pass the torch.

“In Washington, I will do everything I can to help the team, like I’ve done for almost 20 years. There are three more weeks before the Championship starts, and during this time I am gonna be working so that I am in the best possible shape. I can’t wait!”

Pictures courtesy of JEROME ELHAIK and ANNECY SQUASH

NEW ORLEANS -- Late in the Los Angeles Lakers' 114-110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in Anthony Davis' homecoming Wednesday, LeBron James visited the ESPN broadcast table to express his disappointment with a call that was being reviewed.

With the Lakers leading the Pelicans 108-107 with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was called for a shooting foul on New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram.

With Caldwell-Pope throwing his hands up in disbelief at the whistle, Lakers coach Frank Vogel used his coach's challenge to prompt the crew chief Zach Zarba to review the call.

While Zarba was examining the video, James approached ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy courtside to share how incredulous he was with the review process.

"That's a bad call," James said, which was picked up on the game broadcast. "When the ref makes that call he don't never want to be wrong. They're never going to overturn it. Ever. Ever."

Sure enough, the call was upheld, costing the Lakers their final timeout and awarding Ingram two free throws that he made to put the Pelicans back up by one.

From there, the Lakers finished the game on a 6-1 run to win and improve their league-best record to 16-2.

When asked about the referee's ruling after the game, Vogel sidestepped judgment.

"I don't see the replays like they do, so I'll have to trust them, but we'll see," he said.

This season, the first in which a coach's challenge has existed in the NBA, only 39% (52 of 134) of called fouls on the court have been overturned or changed to a non-foul or a foul on the other team, according to ESPN Stats & Information data.

It was the second time James had the refs in his aim on the Lakers' 4-0 road trip. After he attempted zero free throws despite taking 27 field goal attempts -- 16 of which were in the lane -- in Memphis, he challenged how he was being officiated and Vogel vowed to contact the league.