Newsmakers

Leaving NBA great Michael Jordan’s son, Jeff Jordan, is leaving the Illinois basketball program after two seasons. The former walk-on guard said he plans to focus on his studies. Coach Bruce Weber had said Jordan had a chance to earn more playing time next season.

•Duke’s Elliot Williams, whose move into the starting lineup provided the basketball team with a late-season spark, is leaving the Blue Devils after one season because of unspecified family medical reasons.

Hobbled Olympic decathlon champion Bryan Clay injured his left hamstring while practicing for the U.S. track championships in Eugene, Ore., and said he’s questionable for the start of the meet today. Clay said he’ll warm up before the first event and will decide whether he can compete. He hurt himself Tuesday during a light practice.

Sidelined Detroit Shock forward Plenette Pierson is expected to be out for the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. The 27-year-old Texas Tech graduate won the WNBA’s Sixth Woman of the Year award in 2007.

Eliminated Florida International University cut its cheerleading team, part of a plan to trim $1 million from its athletic budget for the coming year. Other moves, including layoffs and other reductions, will be required as well. The school made a splash earlier this year when it hired Isiah Thomas to lead its men’s basketball team.

Suspended Germany’s Isabell Werth, a multiple Olympic dressage gold medalist, has been suspended after her horse tested positive for a banned substance.

Nominated Swimmer Michael Phelps has 14 Olympic gold medals but only one ESPY. That’s likely to change after he led the way with four nominations for next month’s ESPY Awards. Phelps is nominated for male athlete, champ- ionship performance, record-breaking performance and U.S. male Olympian.