Rockets Gave Maxwell Walking Papers

Vernon Maxwell, who faked a hamstring injury in the NBA playoffs because he couldn’t handle sitting on the bench in Houston, won’t have to any more.

The league-champion Rockets confirmed Wednesday that on June 30 they had waived Maxwell, whose playing time was diminished when they traded for Clyde Drexler on Feb. 14. Houston is obligated to pay the value of the final year of Maxwell’s contract, $1.8 million, because he was not claimed on waivers.

“The only way we would not have to pay it would be if his contract were terminated for some other legal reason,” Rocket legal counsel Michael Goldberg said.

He would not comment on any legal action the team may initiate, although Maxwell’s comments in May that he had faked the injury could open the door to a breach-of-contract suit.

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The NCAA refused to reduce penalties that reduced Alcorn State University’s scholarships by seven and put the school under a two-year ban on postseason play because of infractions.

Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya relinquished the International Boxing Federation lightweight championship he won by beating Rafael Ruelas on May 6, refusing to fight top-ranked Miguel Julio by Aug. 1. De La Hoya, also the World Boxing Organization lightweight champion, will defend that title on Sept. 9 against Gernaro Hernandez.

Olympics

Georgia officials have called in consultants to investigate problems with two Olympic dormitories that have sunk as much as nine inches more than expected since they were built.

Construction on the dorms, which will be occupied by athletes next year and by Georgia State University students after the 1996 Games, is 60 days ahead of schedule.

The Salt Lake City Council has asked the Olympic Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games to delay a decision on where to build an ice arena for at least three months after a suburb proposed to build an arena to house the Denver Grizzlies franchise in the International Hockey League.

Jurisprudence

Six months after stealing 262 Super Bowl tickets, James Sabatino, 18, of Boynton Beach, Fla., and his alleged accomplice, George LaGuerre, 26, of Miami, have turned themselves in to police in Palm Beach, Fla.

They’re accused of scamming football fans by selling the stolen tickets for $1,000 each.

Robert Dozier, 21, and Neil Jason Strayhorn, 18, both Michigan State football players, were charged with conspiring to deliver marijuana after police said they tried to sell drugs to undercover officers.

Football

Seattle Coach Dennis Erickson said he expects to have Brian Blades in training camp, despite his involvement in the fatal shooting of his cousin at Blades’ Florida home last week and urged the rest of the Seahawks to rally around their teammate.

Detroit Lion safety Bennie Blades, brother of Brian Blades, underwent surgery on his right hand for an injury Coach Wayne Fontes said was sustained when he slammed his fist into something in frustration upon learning of the shooting death of his cousin. Blades, 28, might not be available until Detroit’s final exhibition game, Aug. 25 in New Orleans.

Soccer

Former Arsenal manager George Graham, 50, was found guilty in London of misconduct in an English Football Assn. investigation into allegations of illegal payments of $680,000 from Norwegian agent Rune Hauge.

Dutch tax authorities are seeking Brazilian soccer star Romario for tax delinquency.

U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel will join Sunderland of England’s first division after the club agreed to a $960,000 deal with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Miscellany

Colin Montgomerie tied the course record with an eight-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Scottish Open at Carnoustie.

Montgomerie’s playing partner, 19-year-old U.S. amateur champion Tiger Woods, shot a 69 in his first round of golf in Britain and Masters champion Ben Crenshaw shot 77.

Sarah Devens, 21, captain of the Dartmouth College field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse teams, was found dead in her Essex, Mass., home, and police said they believe she killed herself.

Tom Watson has rejoined the Kansas City country club where he learned golf as a boy, nearly five years after he resigned when it rejected a Jewish applicant.