Phil Jackson was courted by Orlando Magic for GM post

For the last few days, Phil Jackson was interested in the possibility of joining the Magic ‘s front office, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

But late Thursday afternoon, according to the paper, Jackson bowed out.

Magic Chief Executive Alex Martins was formally presented on Wednesday with a scenario involving Jackson by Sam Vincent, who played for the Magic and Jackson.

“It drew some interest from Phil,” Vincent said. “But in the end, Phil decided to go with another opportunity.”

Jackson may be headed back to the NBA in some capacity, but he pulled out of the Orlando offer before Martins had a chance to run it by Magic owner Rich DeVos. Martins learned of Jackson’s exit Thursday, but would not comment.

Vincent said Jackson gave him the impression that he doesn’t want to coach anymore. But the Magic scenario would have involved Jackson as either the team president/general manager or in a consulting role.

Vincent said that Jackson, 66, was intrigued enough by the idea that Vincent and another intermediary were preparing to fly to Jackson’s home in Montana to speak with him. And, if the talks went well, they would next approach Howard.

Vincent was excited early Thursday afternoon before learning that Jackson had passed on the opportunity to come to Orlando.

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Seniors Eugene Wong, Daniel Miernicki and Andrew Vijarro led Oregon to a thrilling 3-2 victory against second-seeded UCLA in the NCAA Men’s Golf national quarterfinals at Riviera Country Club.

Oregon will square off against top-ranked Texas on Saturday in the national semifinals. Alabama will face California in the other national semifinal. The Ducks are the only team remaining with prior experience in NCAA tournament stroke play.

The first three players in top-seeded Alabama’s match play lineup on Friday in the quarterfinals were able to score victories against their Kent State counterparts and send the Crimson Tide into a semifinal at Riviera

No. 3 Texas advanced to the semifinal round with a 5-0 win against No. 6 Washington.

No. 4 California advanced with a dramatic 3-2 victory against San Diego State.

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Englishman Ross Fisher took a two-stroke lead at the Wales Open Friday after shooting a five-under par 66 in the second round at Celtic Manor in Newport. Overnight leader Lee Slattery of England could only manage a level par round of 72 to remain at four under on 138 in second place.

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Stacy Lewis and Mika Miyazato are tied for the lead after the opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Galloway Township, N.J. Lewis and Miyazato each shot a six-under 65 on Friday at the Bay Course at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.

Paula Creamer and Mariajo Uribe are tied for third at four under.

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The Super Bowl-champion New York Giants and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora have agreed to a new contract. The Giants announced late Friday afternoon that a restructured contract with Umenyiora has been met, ending a feud between the veteran and New York General Manager Jerry Reese. Terms were not immediately available.

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Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. entered jail in Clark County, Nevada, Friday, beginning an 87-day sentence for reduced domestic battery charges involving the mother of his three children.

Mayweather turned himself in after Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa originally delayed his sentence following his December plea bargain for misdemeanor domestic battery, allowing him to fight and defeat Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto on May 5 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather won by unanimous decision and earned a guaranteed $32 million.

Inside the high-rise Clark County Detention Center, Mayweather is expected, as a high-profile inmate, to spend his time in a solo cell no larger than seven by 12 feet without a TV, and have about an hour of exercise time permitted each day, Las Vegas police told the Associated Press this week.

— Lance Pugmire

James Kirkland, who as announced as star Mexican fighter Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s Sept. 15 opponent Thursday, pulled out of the fight on Frdiay, saying his arthroscopically repaired right shoulder won’t allow him to fight Alvarez.

— Lance Pugmire