Durant withdraws from Team USA

Kevin Durant withdrew Thursday from the U.S. national team, the biggest loss yet for a weakening American squad that will go to Spain without the leading scorer on its last two gold medal winners.

The NBA’s MVP took part in the Americans’ training camp in Las Vegas last week, but then informed team officials that he wasn’t going to continue.

Durant was the MVP of the world championship in 2010, leading the Americans to that title for the first time since 1994. The Oklahoma City star also started on their gold medal-winning team in the 2012 Olympics and led the Americans with 19.5 points per game.

His withdrawal comes less than a week after Indiana’s Paul George was lost to a broken right leg and follows previous withdrawals by All-Stars Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, and NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

Oden arrested on battery charges

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police arrested former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden on battery charges early Thursday, alleging that he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face during a fight.

The free agent center, who played for the Miami Heat last season, was arrested early Thursday at his mother’s suburban home in Lawrence on two preliminary counts of misdemeanor battery.

Oden, 26, was released from custody Thursday evening. Online Marion County Jail records show Oden was released on a $10,000 bond.

According to a Lawrence police report, officers were called to the home at around 3:30 a.m. and found a 24-year-old woman on a sofa with a swollen, bloody face. A friend of the woman told officers that Oden had “punched her in the face.”

The report says the injured woman was uncooperative and told officers she had fallen, but was unable to say when and where that occurred.

Ledecky tops Franklin in 200m free

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Katie Ledecky beat defending champion Missy Franklin to win the 200-meter freestyle in a showdown of teen swimming queens Thursday night at the U.S. national championships. Franklin returned 75 minutes later to win the 200 backstroke.

Ledecky led the last 150 meters of the 200 free and touched in a career-best 1 minute, 55.16 seconds ”“ second-fastest in the world this year. She won the 800 free on opening night, and owns world records in the 800 and 1,500 freestyles.

Franklin was second in 1:56.40, and Leah Smith finished third in 1:57.57.

Michael Phelps had the night off after finishing next-to-last in the 100 free Wednesday. He returns Friday in the 100 butterfly, perhaps his best chance to qualify for the U.S. team at the Pan Pacific Championships.