Sports Briefs

NBA

Report: Rubio leaving Spain for Timberwolves

Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio has agreed to join the Timberwolves next season, ending a drawn-out, delicate, two-year negotiation with the team that had many league observers believing he did not want to play in Minnesota. A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press Wednesday night that Rubio will be here next season. The person requested anonymity because neither Rubio nor the Timberwolves planned to make an official announcement while he continues to play for Regal Barcelona in the Spanish league playoffs. The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall in 2009.

GOLF

McIlroy, Riley shoot 66 to top Memorial

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland had a birdie putt on his last eight holes and made four of them on his way to a 6-under-par 66 to join Chris Riley in the lead after the first round of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Chris DiMarco and Josh Teater were at 67, followed by a large group at 68 that included Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler.

In Newport, Wales, South African Keith Horne leads the Wales Open by a stroke after shooting a 7-under 64 in the first round.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Nebraska hires Erstad as coach

Former major-league All-Star Darin Erstad was hired to coach Nebraska, the university's website reported. Erstad was a volunteer hitting coach this past season. The punter on Nebraska's 1994 national champions played 14 seasons with the Angels, White Sox and Astros. -- AP

WNBA

Liberty suspends McCarville; Breland makes team

Liberty coach-general manager John Whisenant said Janel McCarville has been suspended for not reporting to training camp. The team also announced that Jessica Breland, a cancer survivor, made the roster. The Liberty opens the season Sunday in Atlanta against the Dream.

NHL

Rangers sign free agent Parlett

Free-agent defenseman Blake Parlett, who split last season between the Rangers' ECHL and AHL affiliates, signed a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $537,000.