Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio's mother, Tona Vives, died following a long battle with lung cancer. She was 56.
"The Timberwolves organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of Tona Vives, Ricky Rubio's mother," the team said in a release. "The Timberwolves send our condolences to the Vives and Rubio families in this difficult time."
St. John's switches ADs
After 10 years as St. John's athletic director, Tom Stock will become a senior development officer within SJU's Office of Institutional Advancement.
He will continue to be involved with athletics as the Johnnies' director of athletic marketing.
Bob Alpers, the assistant athletic director and head golf coach, will take over as athletic director July 1.
Etc.
• The Gophers women's basketball team will host Florida State on Nov. 30 in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
• Pitcher Nick Hanson of Prior Lake was named the Gatorade baseball player of the year in Minnesota. The senior signed with Kentucky.
• Minnesota Duluth first baseman Alex Wojciechowski was named the American Baseball Coaches Association's NCAA Division II Central Region player of the year and St. Cloud State's Sheldon Miks the region's pitcher of the year.
• Forward Dani Cameranesi and defenseman Lee Stecklein, two current Gophers women's hockey players and four alumnae, Megan Bozek, Hannah Brandt, Gigi Marvin and Anne Schleper, were invited to the USA Hockey national team off-ice training camp from Wednesday to June 5 in Colorado Springs.
