Clarett must undergo mental health testing
Maurice Clarett was ordered to have a mental health evaluation following a bizarre encounter with Columbus, Ohio, police in which the former Ohio State football star was caught with four guns after a highway chase.
The judge delayed a trial set to begin Monday on previous charges in which the player is accused of holding up two people outside a bar.
Judge David Fais ordered the evaluation against the wishes of Clarett and his attorneys, citing the events surrounding the arrest early Wednesday.
“I clearly understand everything and I don’t know why we have to drag this thing out,” said Clarett, who scoffed, smiled and rolled his head back when Fais announced his ruling.
Track and field
Gatlin could avoid ban
Justin Gatlin could escape a lifetime ban if he testifies against his coach.
By testifying against Trevor Graham, Gatlin would exercise the “substantial assistance” provision in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code, which reduces the ban by proving “he or she bears no significant fault or negligence” in the violation.
The 24-year-old American sprinter faces the ban after a second positive doping test, but that could be reduced to eight years if Gatlin provides information against his coach.
•Belgium’s Kim Gevaert completed a sprint double when she won the women’s 200 meters at the European Championships in Goteborg, Sweden.
Gevaert was never threatened, cruising home in 22.68 seconds, and fell into an embrace with Tia Hellebaut, a fellow Belgian who won the high jump moments earlier.
No Belgian woman had won a European outdoor title before Gevaert’s triumph in the 100 on Wednesday – and it was Belgium’s first gold in 35 years.
Basketball
Germany tops China
Yao Ming returned after a four-month layoff from a foot injury, revitalizing China in an 82-73 loss to Dirk Nowitzki and Germany in a warmup game in Nanjing, China, leading to the world championships.
•Clifford Robinson will play again for the New Jersey Nets.
The troubled forward, suspended during last season’s playoffs for violating the NBA’s drug policy, has reached an agreement with the Nets and passed his physical, team president Rod Thorn said.
•Senior guard Bryson Krueger, Arizona State’s second-leading scorer last season, has been kicked off the team following his arrest in Tempe, Ariz., for possession of a gun and various drugs.
Miscellany
Beckham left off
Coach Steve McClaren left David Beckham off the English squad that will face European champion Greece on Wednesday in an exhibition game. The coach is trying to build a national team without the 31-year-old Real Madrid midfielder.
• BetOnSports PLC, the British-based Internet gambling company that has been charged with fraud and racketeering in the United States, said it will shut down its services for American gamblers.