Lawyer: Jones Passes Lie Detector Test

In the latest attempt to clear her name from drug allegations, Marion Jones took a lie detector test that her lawyer says vindicates the sprinter.

Jones took the test from Ronald Homer, a certified polygraph examiner, on Wednesday and her attorney, Joseph Burton, sent the results to the United States Anti-Doping Agency on Thursday.

USADA spokesman Rich Wanninger said the agency wouldn’t comment on a specific case but that “all credible information will receive the appropriate consideration.”

Jones was asked two questions about performance-enhancing drugs in the exam and Homer determined that she was telling the truth.

Homer spent more than 20 years as a polygraph examiner for the FBI. Another examiner concurred after he conducted a blind analysis of the results.

The questions Jones was asked and answered “no” to were:

* Did you ever personally use performance-enhancing drugs?

* Are you now lying about any personal use of performance-enhancing drugs?

USADA is investigating Jones for possible doping violations.

Basketball

Two of the Southeastern Conference’s top players, All-American Lawrence Roberts of Mississippi State and Brandon Bass of Louisiana State, withdrew their names from the NBA draft and will return to their schools. Charlotte center Martin Iti and Washington guard Nate Robinson did likewise before the Thursday afternoon deadline.

Darko Milicic broke his hand in his token appearance in the Detroit Pistons’ NBA title clincher, an injury that could jeopardize his chances of playing for Serbia in the Olympics.

Kansas guard Omar Wilkes has decided to transfer to California.

Tennis

Serena Williams, the two-time defending champion, and Venus Williams, a former two-time winner, were put in opposite brackets of the women’s draw at Wimbledon.

Thomas Johansson defeated Greg Rusedski, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), to reach the semifinals of the Nottingham Open grass-court tournament. Top-seeded Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand also advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Hicham Arazi.... Mary Pierce of France and Lina Krasnoroutskaya of Russia posted straight-set victories at the Ordina Open and will meet in the semifinals at Den Bosch, Netherlands.... Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo defeated Magdalena Maleeva, 6-4, 6-3, to reach the semifinals of the Eastbourne grass-court tournament.

Miscellany

Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, was designated as the Arizona Cardinals’ starting running back.... The New England Patriots signed linebacker Tedy Bruschi to a contract extension through 2007.

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up the $6.5-million option to bring back goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

Christine Thorburn won the women’s cycling time trial championship at Moreno Valley, giving her a spot on the Olympic team. She finished the 24-kilometer course in 34:16.

Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman knocked out Rob Calloway in the second round at Glen Burnie, Md., to enhance his bid to regain the title he lost nearly three years ago.