NEW YORK — The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement opens the door to blood testing for human growth hormone — provided that the league and the players union can agree on the reliability of the test.
Major League Baseball became the first major professional sports league in North America to approve testing for HGH when its owners and players signed off on a new labor deal last month. The NBA could become the second, but hurdles remain.
Mike Bass, a spokesman for the NBA, said Wednesday the union and the league have agreed to HGH testing “subject to the test being validated by a neutral committee of experts.”
A draft of the new collective bargaining agreement that the players union sent to its members for ratification is a little more cautious in its wording, referring to the “possibility” of a test being introduced.
• Two-time NBA scoring champion Tracy McGrady, whose career was derailed by a series of injuries, is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks. McGrady averaged 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 72 games last season for the Detroit Pistons, his third team in the past two years.
Former coach James pleads guilty to sexual assault
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Former junior hockey coach and convicted sex offender Graham James pleaded guilty to sexual assaults involving two of his former players, including former Avalanche star Theoren Fleury. The disgraced coach was originally facing nine charges of sexual assault involving three players from 1979-94, but only pleaded guilty to charges involving two. The names of the two other players are protected under a court-ordered publication ban. The 59-year-old James will be sentenced in February.
Jones’ deal with Sun Devils falls through
TEMPE, Ariz. — Negotiations between Arizona State and SMU football coach June Jones broke down at the last second, leaving the Sun Devils without a replacement for the fired Dennis Erickson. Jones is expected to remain the Mustangs’ coach for 2012.
• Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora has accepted an offer to replace Everett Withers as North Carolina’s coach.
• The NFL Players Association will stage the inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 21 featuring 100 top draft prospects. Teams will be coached by Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil, who both won Super Bowls during their years in the NFL.
• Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top collegiate lineman.
Footnotes.
Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric was suspended for three games by the NHL for a hit that left Nino Niederreiter of the New York Islanders with a concussion Saturday night.
• Three-time European champion Manchester United was eliminated from the Champions League when it lost 2-1 at FC Basel.
• UCLA reserve guard Norman Powell has been hospitalized in stable condition after having an allergic reaction at practice.
Denver Post wire services
