Marion Jones wants to play in the WNBA
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Disgraced track star Marion Jones is training for a comeback — in the WNBA.
San Antonio Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes confirmed Monday night that Jones has been training with his assistants to possibly play in the WNBA, more than a year after the 34-year-old was released from federal prison for lying about her doping use.
The New York Times first reported that Jones has been working on her skills and conditioning in San Antonio since October. Jones told the newspaper she received a call in May from someone in the NBA asking if she might play in the WNBA.
"I thought it would be an interesting journey if I decided to do this," Jones said. "It would give me an opportunity to share my message to young people on a bigger platform; it would give me an opportunity to get a second chance."
Jones played college basketball at North Carolina, where she was the starting point guard on the Tar Heels' national championship team in 1994. She told the Times that she hopes to play in Europe this winter and in the WNBA next season.
WNBA spokesman Ron Howard did not immediately return a phone message late Monday.
Jones was released in September 2008 from a Texas federal prison after completing most of her six-month sentence for lying about doping and her role in a check-fraud scam.
NCAA wants to uphold punishment on Memphis hoops
The NCAA Committee on Infractions wants its punishment of the University of Memphis upheld because schools need to be punished when they use ineligible players.
That's according to the NCAA's response to Memphis' appeal of penalties including the vacated 38 wins from the 2007-08 men's basketball season.
"Where is the risk if there is no significant penalty when things go awry? If the IAC sets aside the penalties in this case, it would send the message that an institution can take chances, even with knowledge of potential infractions problems, with impunity," the infractions committee said.
The Associated Press obtained the NCAA's response from the University of Memphis on Monday night under an open records request. The 30-page response was filed Nov. 12 to the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeal Committee.
If the appeal committee sets aside either the 38 wins vacated from the 2007-08 men's basketball season or a fine, the Committee on Infractions wants the Memphis case back "to reassess the penalties" that could have included a postseason ban and a cut in scholarships.
The university initially refused to release the NCAA's response to its appeal, citing NCAA rules that prohibit printing the document for media off the association's Web site.
But the university agreed to release the response when reminded by The AP of a recent Florida court ruling rejecting that same NCAA argument in Florida State's appeal of an academic cheating appeal in October.
Memphis agreed to redact the protected information in the NCAA's response, a process completed Monday.
The NCAA ordered Memphis to vacate the season that ended with an overtime loss to Kansas in the national championship game on Aug. 20 after ruling a player believed to be NBA star Derrick Rose was ineligible. Memphis also was fined approximately $530,000 in tournament revenue.
Danica Patrick shows off new car
Danica Patrick unveiled her splashy new car in New York's Times Square, its bright green, black and orange color scheme right at home with the flashy billboards and lights above.
A car with fenders could be next for IndyCar's most marketable star.
Patrick signed a three-year contract extension with Andretti Autosport on Monday, a deal that could pave the way for the open-wheel star's desired foray into NASCAR.
"When there are more races on the schedule, my life almost feels more predictable," Patrick said during a segment on Fox News. "I'd be excited about the challenge. We'll see."
Patrick and team owner Michael Andretti announced the deal with Andretti Autosport during a segment on "Good Morning America," appearing together with her No. 7 GoDaddy.com Dallara-Honda.
The deal reportedly had been in the works for weeks, held up by Patrick's previous sponsorship deal with Motorola and a change in ownership with her team.
Andretti Autosport finished its restructuring last week, changing its name from Andretti Green Racing after Michael Andretti purchased the team from Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, who have taken control of the promotions side of the company.
The IRL deal done, Patrick my be free to turn her attention to a NASCAR ride.