Baylor Players May Be Suspects in Disappearance

Some of Patrick Dennehy’s teammates might be suspects in the disappearance of the Baylor basketball player, Waco, Texas, police said Friday.

Dennehy, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center from Santa Clara, has not been seen or heard from in more than two weeks.

Although police have not found a body, department spokesman Steven Anderson said they “have received information from several sources that would lead investigators to believe that foul play was involved.”

In a written statement, Anderson said police were looking into whether Dennehy might have been killed in the Waco area. A sport utility vehicle belonging to the 21-year-old Dennehy was found this week in Virginia Beach, Va.

“From that lead and others, potential suspects in the disappearance of Dennehy potentially include fellow Baylor basketball players,” Anderson said. “Information about possible crime scenes are currently being investigated.”

The statement did not elaborate on the possible connection of Baylor players to Dennehy’s disappearance.

Baylor Athletic Director Tom Stanton issued a statement Friday night saying the university had just learned about the new developments in the police investigation.

“The nature of the developments is certainly disturbing,” Stanton said. “It’s impossible to respond at this moment until we learn more about the investigation.”

Colleges

Proposed changes to college basketball’s free throw lane and three-point lines were put on hold this week.

An NCAA committee did not vote on whether to implement a new trapezoid lane and a longer three-point line after the basketball rules committees withdrew the proposal. It is expected to be resubmitted for a vote in September.

A hearing was scheduled Sept. 8 to determine whether Bob Knight’s wrongful-dismissal lawsuit against Indiana University should proceed to trial. A judge set the hearing after denying the university’s request to dismiss the lawsuit by its former basketball coach.

Long Beach State pitcher Jered Weaver and USC catcher Jeff Clement were selected to the U.S. national team, which will play in the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Aug. 2-12. Georgia Tech catcher Mike Nickeas, of Westlake Village Westlake High, was also named to the 20-man roster.

Hockey

Pat Quinn stepped aside as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs but will remain the team’s coach. Quinn will continue as GM until a replacement is hired.

The Nashville Predators traded defenseman Andy Delmore to Buffalo for a third-round draft pick next year. Delmore scored 18 goals and had 16 assists in 71 games last season. His 14 power-play goals led all NHL defensemen.

Motor Sports

Scott Dixon’s inconsistent rookie season in the IRL took an upward turn when he won the pole at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Dixon turned a lap at 168.138 mph in his Toyota-powered G Force on the three-quarter-mile oval -- the shortest on the circuit. He nudged Sarah Fisher and her lap of 167.004 in a Dallara-Chevrolet to the outside of the front row for tonight’s SunTrust Indy Challenge.

Defending race champion Terry Cook won the pole for the NASCAR truck series race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. Cook took the top starting position for tonight’s GNC Live Well 200 with a lap of 119.996 mph in a Ford.

Kimi Raikkonen posted the fastest time in pre-qualifying for the European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring course track in Germany, timed in 1 minute 29.989 seconds on the 3.199-mile circuit in his Mercedes-powered McLaren.

Miscellany

Defensive tackle Josh Evans of the New York Jets was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy a third time.

Evans had been suspended twice for violations during six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, including a suspension for the 2000 season.

Mark Ruiz won his 19th national title, second only to Greg Louganis among American male divers, by taking the one-meter springboard in the U.S. Diving Championships at Indianapolis.

Rachelle Kunkel of West Valley City, Utah, won the women’s one-meter competition. Brothers Troy and Justin Dumais of Ventura won the men’s three-meter synchronized event.

Kelli White finished second in the 100 meters at the Bislett Games in Oslo, a week after winning the event at the U.S. track and field championships. Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas won in 10.96 seconds. White ran a 10.97.