BASKETBALL

CBA champion Ji Zhe dies of cancer at 33

Former Beijing Ducks player Ji Zhe died of lung cancer early on Thursday.

"2:14 am, Dec 5, 2019, after fighting against lung cancer for over a year, Ji Zhe left us," the Ducks said in a statement on social media.

Ji, a three-time CBA champion, was diagnosed with the disease last August, before going to the United States for treatment.

"Ji has gone. He will love basketball as always, like he's never gone. His No 51 jersey will stay here forever," added the statement.

Ji joined the Ducks in 2007. The 6-foot-7 power forward was regarded as a brilliant rim protector, contributing at both ends of the court with his jumpers, 3-pointers and rebounds, and always impressing with his passion and spirit.

He claimed the CBA championship title with the Ducks in 2012, 2014 and 2015 along with Stephon Marbury, now the head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters.

"This moment I feel saddened for your family members who love you. My bro, my teammate, my companion, my captain, I hope everything is smooth in the other world," Marbury wrote in a touching tribute on social media. "I pray that your family members can bear the pain of loss, and hope they can stand in braveness. They can feel the energy by people who love you everywhere in the world. R.I.P."

SNOOKER

Chinese teenager Yan stuns Robertson

Chinese teenager Yan Bingtao stunned world No 4 Neil Robertson 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the UK Championships in York on Wednesday.

Yan raced into a 5-0 lead against Australia's 2010 world champion before Robertson finally opened his account in the sixth frame.

Rising star Yan, who won his first ranking title at the Riga Masters earlier this season, snubbed out Robertson's hopes of a comeback by closing out victory in the seventh.

The 19-year-old, a native of Zibo in Shandong province, will face Scotland's four-time world champion and three-time UK champion John Higgins in the last eight.

China's Liang Wenbo also booked a place in the quarterfinals by beating compatriot Li Hang 6-4. He will next take on either Chinese No 1 Ding Junhui or defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

VOLLEYBALL

Guangdong loses but semi hopes still alive

Guangdong Evergrande lost its second group game at the FIVB Women's Club World Championship on Wednesday night, going down in straight sets (25-16, 25-22, 25-21) to Imoco Volley Conegliano of Italy.

The victory sealed Conegliano's semifinal spot at the eight-team week-long tournament in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province.

Paola Ogechi Egonu had a matchhigh 19 points for Conegliano, with Kimberly Hill adding 15.

Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul of Turkey blanked Itambe Minas of Brazil 3-0(25-17, 25-23, 25-16).

Eczacibasi lost its first match to Conegliano, so Friday's match against Guangdong, which beat Minas in its opener, will decide the second team to advance from Pool A.

SOCCER

Too late for Madrid move, says Lewan

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has ruled out playing for Real Madrid in the future, saying "it is too late" to join the Spanish giant.

Lewandowski has long been linked with a move to Los Blancos, but with Bayern unwilling to let its top marksman leave, the Pole now finds himself contracted with the Bundesliga club until June 2023.

"It's too late for me to play at Real Madrid. I'm 31. I will be playing for a few years and I'm focused on winning trophies for Bayern," Lewandowski said on Wednesday.

"Five years ago something was up between me and Real, but now I'm happy in Munich. I play for one of the greatest clubs in Europe, so there is no need for me to change the team. Here I have everything I need."

Lewandowski has rediscovered his best form this season, scoring 27 goals in 21 games for Bayern and helping Poland qualify for the European Championship finals.

NFL

Announcer suspended for 'dark skin' comment

The San Francisco 49ers have suspended radio analyst Tim Ryan for one game for saying Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson was adept at carrying out fakes because of his "dark skin color with a dark football".

Ryan made the comments on Monday in an interview on the 49ers' flagship radio station KNBR when describing Jackson's ability to fake handoffs and keep the ball on runs that hurt San Francisco in a 20-17 loss to the Ravens last week.

"He's really good at that fake, Lamar Jackson, but when you consider his dark skin color with a dark football with a dark uniform, you could not see that thing," Ryan said on air. "I mean you literally could not see when he was in and out of the mesh point."

Ryan issued a statement of apology through the team on Wednesday

The 49ers said in a statement that they are "disappointed" in Ryan and that he won't broadcast Sunday's game at New Orleans.