Sports in brief: Cleveland fans refuse to forget

DeShawn Stevenson returned to Cleveland last week and got an instant reminder that there will always be one city in the United States that reviles him. When the Washington Wizards’ private plane landed at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the runway marshal warmly greeted each member of the team until he spotted the scraggly bearded Stevenson.

“I hate you,” Stevenson recalls the airport employee telling him, to which Stevenson responded with an equally incensed retort. “I won’t cuss, but I said something to him,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson has become one of the most hated athletes in Cleveland ever since he dared to call reigning league MVP LeBron James “overrated” nearly two years ago. Fans there haven’t forgotten. He was booed after he hit both of his 3-pointers in the Wizards’ 109-104 exhibition win against the Cavaliers, gleefully waving his hand in front of his face to rile the fans even more.

Washington Post

NBA reaches out to Hispanics

Basketball: After years of courting the European and Asian markets, the NBA is trying to build up its fan base among Hispanics.

The league will launch a marketing campaign today called enebea – the Spanish pronunciation of NBA. Featuring increased TV and Internet exposure, plus community projects, the NBA hopes to expand its reach among a demographic that makes up 15 percent of its fan base.

Associated Press

Nymeyer wins top honor

NCAA: Former Arizona swimmer Lacey Nymeyer was honored as the NCAA woman of the year at a dinner Sunday night.

Nymeyer earned a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympic games. She helped lead Arizona to the 2008 NCAA Division I women’s swimming and diving team championship. She also captured a gold medal at the 2007 FINA World Championships in the 800-meter freestyle relay.

The award honors student athletes who have completed their college eligibility, demonstrated academic and athletic excellence and engaged in community service and leadership opportunities.

She is the third student-athlete from Arizona and sixth swimmer to win the award.

Associated Press