R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 2/8 - Friday 2/14

My 'notable' happenings and keynotes from the sports world this past week:

 

Winter Olympics: The 2K14 Sochi Games got underway in Russia, and as of Friday 2/14, both Norway and the United States of America lead the total medal count with 13 a piece (4 Gold; 3 Silver; 6 Bronze each)....23-year-old Jamie Anderson won the gold medal in the inaugural olympic event of Women's Slopestyle Snowboarding....Erin Hamlin took home the bronze medal in Women's Singles Luge, becoming the first American ever - man or woman - to medal in the event.

Pro Football: Talented defensive end Michael Sam out of Missouri revealed to the world that he is homosexual, and will become the first such player ever to be drafted by an NFL team this coming May in New York City.

MLB: Future first-ballot Hall-of-Fame shortshop Derek Jeter announced that the 2K14 season - his 20th - will be the final one of his legendary career with the New York Yankees.....The Chicago White Sox signed talented offensive first baseman Jose Abreu of Cuba to a six-year, $68M contract...Former major league player and manager Jim Fergosi passed away at the age of 71 from stroke complications.

 

NBA: Players of the Week (Monday 2/3 - Sunday 2/9)....Eastern Conference - F Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics; Western Conference - F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder....The All-Star break in New Orleans, Louisiana got underway, with the Oklahoma City Thunder owning the overall best record in the league at 43-12. The Indiana Pacers at 40-12 are the top team in the East, with the two-time defending champion Miami Heat right at their heels at 37-14. Thunder All-Star forward Kevin Durant is the league's top scorer, averaging 31 points per contest thus far.....The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Maurice Cheeks. Nate McMillan takes over on an interim basis.

Men's College Basketball (A.P. Top 10): 1. Syracuse  2. Arizona  3. Florida  4. Wichita State  5. San Diego State  6. Villanova  7. Kansas  8. Duke  9. Michigan State  10. Cincinnati

Women's College Basketball (A.P. Top 10): 1. U.Conn  2. Notre Dame  3. Duke  4. Louisville  5. South Carolina  6. Stanford  7. Baylor  8. Tennessee  9. Maryland  10. North Carolina State