Clarett Shows His Abilities

Maurice Clarett ran, jumped, lifted weights and caught footballs for pro scouts Monday in Columbus, Ohio. By and large, they came away impressed.

“Obviously, he’s going to be a bell cow for somebody -- he’s got that type of ability,” said former NFL fullback Tom Rathman, who represented the Detroit Lions. “It’s just a matter of him developing as a football player.”

Clarett had declined to work out at the NFL combine in February, so this was the first time scouts had seen the 20-year-old who could force his way into the draft later this month depending on the appeals court decision.

Clarett weighed 230 pounds, exactly his playing weight for Ohio State 15 months ago.

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Cornerback Ray Buchanan signed with the Raiders, becoming the latest addition to Oakland’s revamped defense....Quarterback Rick Mirer, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Lions.... New York Jet cornerback Jamie Henderson was hospitalized in critical but stable condition after a weekend motorcycle accident.

Jurisprudence

North Carolina recruit JamesOn Curry pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation in Burlington, N.C.

Curry, the leading scorer in state high school basketball history, pleaded guilty to six felony counts: two each of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; two each of the sale of marijuana, and two each of delivering marijuana, in Alamance County court.

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Golfer John Daly’s wife and her parents pleaded guilty to federal money laundering charges in Oxford, Miss.

The three made the pleas as their trial was scheduled to start.

Sherrie Miller Daly, who married the two-time major champion in 2001, and her parents, Alvis and Billie Miller, entered into an agreement late Friday with U.S. Atty. Paul Roberts to plead guilty.

The three were charged in a federal indictment alleging they were involved in a drug ring and an illegal gambling operation.

Colleges

Nevada swingman Kirk Snyder has hired an agent and will skip his senior season to pursue an NBA career. The 6-foot-6 Snyder was the Western Athletic Conference player of the year, averaging 18.8 points and 5.7 rebounds this season.

Kerry Rupp will not be retained by Utah’s new coach, despite leading the Utes to the NCAA tournament after taking over midway through the season for an ailing Rick Majerus. Coach Ray Giacoletti, who was hired last week, said that Rupp would not be part of his staff.

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Colorado put assistant defensive coach Vance Joseph, 31, on leave amid a recruiting scandal that included rape allegations and other misconduct by football players. Joseph was suspended last week, said the school, which refused to say why he was suspended.

Miscellany

Wild-card entry Gary Sacks upset defending champion Jerome Golmard of France in the first round of the $25,000 USTA Men’s Challenger of Calabasas at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club. Sacks, a 17-year-old Calabasas resident, defeated Golmard, who is ranked No. 233 in the world, 7-6, 7-6.

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The United States advanced to the final of the women’s world hockey championship after Natalie Darwitz scored three goals in a 9-2 victory over Sweden at Halifax, Canada. The U.S. will face Canada tonight.