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SOCCER: Ecuador soccer star dies at 27

Christian Benitez, a soccer star from Ecuador who led the Mexican league in scoring last season, died yesterday, a day after playing in a game for his club in Qatar. He was 27.

The Qatari club El Jaish provided no details about his death.

U.S. national team member Stuart Holden has a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, yet another major knee injury for the unlucky midfielder.

Holden was hurt early in the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Panama in the Gold Cup final on Sunday.

NBA: Gibson arrested for assault and battery

Unrestricted NBA free agent Daniel Gibson surrendered to police to face a second-degree battery charge.

Gibson is accused of breaking another man’s jaw with a punch during an argument at a nightclub on July 8.

Gibson played seven years for the Cavaliers but was out with injuries much of last season.

The Mavericks signed first-round pick Shane Larkin, who is likely out until training camp in October with a broken right ankle.

Larkin is slotted to make $1.28 million in the point guard’s first season under the rookie salary scale.

Kurt Rambis is returning to the Lakers’ coaching staff as an assistant to Mike D’Antoni.

The Lakers hired former NBA head coaches Rambis and Johnny Davis to fill out D’Antoni’s coaching staff.

ETC.: Louisville QB takes out insurance policy

Louisville junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said that he took out a $10 million insurance policy to protect himself against a career-ending injury, according to ESPN.

Mark Wiebe of the United States beat Bernhard Langer on the fifth playoff hole in Southport, England, to win his first Senior British Open title.

Langer bogeyed his fifth attempt at the 18th hole on Royal Birkdale while Wiebe made par to claim the trophy.

Ohio State University will give former president Gordon Gee a $5.8 million retirement package. Gee left the university after comments jabbing Roman Catholics and SEC schools.

Michael Phelps, who adamantly stated his Olympic career was over after the London Olympics, yesterday left the door open to change his mind before the 2016 Rio Games.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” Phelps, the winningest athlete in Olympic history, said.