Camby Reportedly Accepted Gifts From Agents

Marcus Camby, the national player of the year, accepted money and gifts, including expensive jewelry, from agents while playing for the University of Massachusetts, the Hartford Courant reported.

Camby, who declared for the NBA draft after his junior season, told the Courant he accepted cash from one agent and jewelry from friends that was bought by another agent.

“I know that’s wrong,” he said. “I really wasn’t thinking. The opportunity was just there and I took it.”

Camby’s behavior violates NCAA rules and could result in penalties against Massachusetts.

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The Pacific 10 put Arizona State’s track and field programs on three years’ probation and reduced the number of scholarships it can award during the 1997-98 school year for improprieties, including impermissible transportation and meal benefits, improper recruiting contacts, and unethical conduct.

Pro Basketball

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak is scheduled to meet with the New Jersey Nets today about taking over their basketball operations, making him a candidate for two jobs at the same time. He was in Dallas late last week for discussions with the Mavericks’ new ownership group.

Kupchak is, by all accounts, happy in Los Angeles, but continues to explore options that would make him the boss somewhere instead of No. 2 behind Jerry West. He earlier interviewed for the top job in Philadelphia that eventually went to Brad Greenberg and late last week was in Dallas for discussions with the Mavericks’ new ownership group.

Pro Football

Pittsburgh Steeler veteran offensive lineman Tom Newberry announced his retirement after 10 seasons. Newberry, 33, played for the then-Los Angeles Rams for the first nine years of his career.

The Miami Dolphins re-signed quarterback Bernie Kosar, the backup to Dan Marino, to a one-year contract. . . . The Vikings signed quarterback Warren Moon to an extension through 1998.

Jurisprudence

Cincinnati Bengal fullback Jeff Cothran was arrested and charged with drunken and disorderly conduct outside a bar in Cincinnati.

Jury selection began in the manslaughter trial of Seattle Seahawk receiver Brian Blades in the killing of his cousin during a scuffle last July 5.

Miscellany

Silvey Dominguez, an assistant at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., for the past five seasons, was hired as an assistant basketball coach at USC. Dominguez, 43, was also an assistant at Colorado State for two years and at the Air Force Academy for three years.

UCLA’s Justin Gimelstob has signed a multiyear contract with Nike, believed to be the most lucrative contract for a male tennis player entering the professional ranks. . . . The Bruins’ Al Scates was named coach of the year by the American Volleyball Coaches Assn. Scates led UCLA to its 16th national title this season.

Former World Boxing Assn. bantamweight champion Jorge Eliecer Julio won an unanimous 10-round decision over Antonio Ramirez at the Pond of Anaheim. . . . Terry Norris withdrew from his fight against Argentina’s Julio Cesar Vasquez scheduled for Saturday because of illness.

Two years after they led Brazil to the World Cup title, Bebeto and Romario are teammates again. Bebeto joins Romario after signing with Rio De Janeiro’s Flamengo.

Jose Maria Olazabal pulled out of this week’s English Open and next week’s U.S. Open because of arthritis in his feet. . . . Europe’s Ryder Cup committee confirmed that the event will return to the Belfry in 2001. . . . Alex Greaves will become the first woman jockey in the English Derby when she rides 1,000-1 shot Portuguese Lil in Saturday’s race. . . . Vladimir Vasilyev resigned as head coach of Russia’s national hockey team.