PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A man was charged with stalking tennis star Serena Williams after police said they caught him trying to walk into her gated subdivision in South Florida.
Palm Beach Gardens police said 40-year-old Patenema Ouedraogo told officers he was going to Williams’ home Monday night “because he loves her” and “he knows the feelings are reciprocal.”
An attorney for Williams said he had recently obtained a restraining order after Ouedraogo tried to contact the player three times. Ouedraogo is being held on $25,000 bond.
Griffin to win NBA rookie award
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will be named the NBA’s rookie of the year today.
The No. 1 draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2009 easily led all rookies in scoring and rebounding after missing all of last year with a broken kneecap. He averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists while playing in all 82 games.
Barcelona advances to Euro final
BARCELONA, Spain — Pedro Rodriguez scored off a perfect through pass from Andres Iniesta in the 54th minute and Barcelona dominated rival Real Madrid in a 1-1 tie to win their Champions League semifinal on 3-1 aggregate.
Seeking its fourth Champions League title and third in six years, Barcelona plays the winner of tonight’s match between Manchester United and Schalke on May 28.
Boise State responds to inquiry
BOISE, Idaho — The NCAA accused Boise State of committing one major violation and a series of infractions over a five-year period in its football program and four other sports.
An inquiry by NCAA investigators also concluded the scope and nature of the 22 violations show Boise State lacked the institutional controls to fully comply with critical rules in collegiate athletics, according to a report made public by the school and NCAA.
“I am disappointed that we face these allegations,” Boise State president Bob Kustra said. “It is unacceptable and the athletic department staff understand and agree with my position.”
The NCAA Infractions Committee has scheduled a hearing June 10 to consider the case before issuing a final report and possible sanctions.
Footnotes.
Alex Pietrangelo scored at 4:14 of overtime to give Canada a 4-3 victory over Switzerland to complete the group stage of the ice hockey world championship in Kosice, Slovakia, with a 3-0 record.
• BYU star point guard Jimmer Fredette signed on with Octagon to represent and market him as a professional.
• Georgia Tech’s Iman Shumpert, the fourth player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to lead his team in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, said he will hire an agent as he pursues an NBA career.
• IndyCar team owners Sam Schmidt andJay Penske hired Ho-Pin Tung to give him a shot at becoming the first Chinese driver in the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
The Associated Press
