In brief: Lewis decides to test free-agency waters
Rashard Lewis’ agent said Friday night that the SuperSonics’ longest-tenured player and second-leading scorer had officially opted out of the final two years of his Seattle contract. That makes him eligible for free agency beginning on July 1, but doesn’t necessarily end his career with the Sonics.
“Kansas guard Brandon Rush has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will play his junior season at the school.
“Florida A&M University basketball coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was arrested on a misdemeanor stalking charge and later released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
“Georgia Tech point guard Javaris Crittenton announced he is interviewing agents, meaning he will remain eligible for the NBA draft.
“The NCAA approved moving the men’s 3-point line back 1 foot in 2008 – from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20-9.
“Charlotte Bobcats GM Bernie Bickerstaff will become an executive vice president to the team.
Hockey
Tocchet pleads guilty
In Mount Holly, N.J., former hockey star Rick Tocchet, pleaded guilty to promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling in a plea deal that may spare him jail time.
Under state law, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. But, as his lawyer emphasized, the third-degree crimes he pleaded guilty to usually do not result in incarceration for people like Tocchet who have had no other brushes with the law.
“Vancouver defeated Plymouth 8-1 in the Memorial Cup semifinal game in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Giants will meet Medicine Hat on Sunday in an all-Western Hockey League championship game.
Drugs
Riis admits doping
In Copenhagen, Denmark, Bjarne Riis became the first Tour de France winner to admit using performance-enhancing drugs to win the sport’s premier race.
“In Rome, Italian Olympic Committee prosecutors recommended defending Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso should be banned from cycling for 21 months because of his involvement in the Spanish doping scandal.
“The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in Colorado Springs, Colo., announced the two-year suspension of Joe Papp, one of the agency’s key witnesses in its doping case against Tour de France winner Floyd Landis.
At Landis’ arbitration hearing, Papp testified last Friday to his long pattern of drug use and said it was common for cyclists to use synthetic testosterone to aid recovery.
Football
Extension on table
The NCAA football issues committee, meeting in Omaha, Neb., has revived a proposal that would extend player eligibility to five years because of the move to a 12-game schedule.
“In Castle Rock, Colo., a false imprisonment charge against Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall stemming from a domestic dispute was dismissed.