The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Joe Dumars — a former NBA champion as both a player and an executive with the Detroit Pistons — as their executive vice president of basketball operations.

Dumars, 61, takes over for David Griffin, who was fired on Monday after a six-year stint that coincided with the drafting of power forward Zion Williamson in 2019.

Dumars ran the Pistons’ front office when they won another title in 2004.

Since leaving the Pistons in 2014, Dumars has worked in Sacramento’s front office and most recently served as executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the NBA.

College basketball

Duke’s Knueppel declares for draft >> Duke’s Kon Knueppel is heading to the NBA after one college season.

The 6-foot-7, 217-pound wing announced his decision after a season that included him being named MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament while helping the Blue Devils reach the Final Four.

Soccer

Champions League >> Arsenal defeated defending champion Real Madrid 2-1 to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009.

Arsenal advanced 5-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 first-leg win at home in London last week, keeping alive its chances of winning Europe’s top club competition for the first time. It will face PSG in the semifinals.