Sports Brief: Week of Feb. 26 - March 4

MLB: Harper to the Phillies

Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies Feb. 28, ending the free agency saga and accepting the largest contract in baseball.

The contract pays Harper a $10 million salary in 2019 with a $20 million signing bonus paid in two installments later in the year. The contract then increases to a $26 million annual salary from 2020 to 2028, where it will then be reduced to a $22 million annual salary until the contract runs out in 2031.

The contract does not include any opt-out clauses, option years or deferred money, but Harper does get full no-trade protection. For more on Harper’s new deal, click here.

NFL: Foles likely to sign with the Jags, combine

The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to sign free agent quarterback Nick Foles, formerly a Philadelphia Eagle, to a multi-year contract when the new league year opens March 11.

Philadelphia Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman decided not to place a franchise tag on Foles after discussing the option and weighing potential trade options.

The 2019 NFL combine kicked off Feb. 26 and has given executives a glimpse into the future of the league’s top prospects.

University of Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams’ name was thrown around as a potential No. 1 overall pick, and his combine performance backed that claim. Weighing in at 303 pounds, Williams ran a 4.84 40-yard dash and had a 10-yard split of 1.69 seconds, which outdid some of the league’s established linemen.

Louisiana State University linebacker Devin White led the linebacker group with a 4.42 40-yard dash and posted an impressive 39.5 inch jump in his vertical.

University of Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Kyler Murray decided not to participate in the combine workouts.

For a comprehensive look of the combine’s biggest winners and losers, click here.

NBA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Thunder recap

Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sold 234 lots of memorabilia—including six NBA championship rings—raising nearly $3 million in an auction Sunday, March 3. The bulk of the proceeds have gone directly to his Skyhook Foundation, which helps children learn about science, math, engineering and technology.

Despite being down forward Paul George, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 99-95 March 3, snapping a four-game losing streak.

Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma City offensively, scoring 22 points. The Thunder struggled to knock down shots, shooting only 35 percent from the field and relying heavily on their defensive play. After being a half game back from the Portland Trail Blazers, the win pushed them to third in the Western Conference.

The Thunder will travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves at 7 p.m tonight.

UFC 235: Jones, Usman shine

In a star-studded main card, UFC 235 featured two title fights—light heavyweight champion Jon Jones took on Anthony Smith, and welterweight champion Tyron Woodley battled Kamaru Usman.

Jones defended his title, winning by decision, but controlled the fight in its entirety, landing more significant strikes and controlling the pace on the ground.

In the co-main event, Usman dethroned Woodley, winning the five-round bout by decision. Usman connected on more total and significant strikes and landed 33 percent of his takedown attempts.

Earlier in the evening, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt was knocked out by Pedro Munhoz late in the first round. Women’s strawweight Weili Zhang defeated Tecia Torres by decision, and former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler was submitted by Ben Askren.