Newsmakers

Sentenced

Willie Clark, a gang member convicted of killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams in a drive-by shooting, was sentenced in Denver on Friday to life in prison plus 1,152 years. Clark, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder in the New Year’s Day 2007 slaying after a confrontation at a Denver nightclub.

Extended Hendrick Motorsports locked crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson into long-term contract extensions. Knaus has led Jimmie Johnson to the last four NASCAR championships, while Gustafson is the crew chief for Mark Martin.

•Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan received a one-year contract extension and women’s basketball coach Lisa Stone received a two-year extension. Athletic department spokesman Justin Doherty said financial terms were not finalized.

Returning Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. Ford will pick up the player option on the final year of his contract and return to the team next season. Bob Myers, Ford’s agent, said the paperwork is in process. Ford is owed $8.5 million next year. He averaged 14.9 points in his first season with the Pacers.

Dismissed California starting forward Omondi Amoke was dismissed from the team by coach Mike Montgomery for violating team rules. Amoke had been suspended indefinitely since March 17, before the Golden Bears beat Louisville in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Suspended Hofstra suspended basketball coach Tim Welsh after learning through media reports that police in Levittown, N.Y., had charged him with driving while intoxicated. School spokeswoman Melissa Connolly said Welsh has been suspended without pay while the university investigates the charges against him.

Hired Former NBA assistant Bob Donewald was hired as coach of a Chinese men’s national basketball team. Donewald inherits a team that lost in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Former national coach Guo Shiqiang will remain with the team as an assistant.

Leaving Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy said sophomore forward Murphy Holloway is leaving the team for personal reasons. Holloway, a 6-7 forward from Irmo, S.C., said he was returning to South Carolina where he has a daughter and family.