Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem predicts he will be cleared of felony charge | NBA

NBA

Haslem faces charge of felony marijuana possession: Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat released a statement Monday night expressing confidence he will be vindicated, one day after he was charged with felony possession of marijuana.

"I am confident that once the judicial process runs its course, I will be cleared," the 30-year-old Haslem said.

Antwain Fleming, a passenger in Haslem's 2008 Mercedes, told the Florida Highway Patrol marijuana found in the car after the Heat forward was pulled over for allegedly speeding was his — and Haslem's attorney insisted that is enough reason for the third-degree felony charge to be dropped.

Eric Schwartzreich, Haslem's attorney, said the State Attorney's Office is reviewing the arrest paperwork. Haslem is accused of possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, a third-degree felony, along with four misdemeanor counts of having drug paraphernalia.

A hearing in Haslem's case has been scheduled for Sept. 14 in Miami-Dade County court.

Authorities say Pacers rookie pushed woman down flight of stairs and "slammed" her head on bottom step: Lance Stephenson, 19, a rookie guard for the Indiana Pacers, faces charges that include felony assault.

Authorities said Stephenson, a second-round draft pick who played college ball at Cincinnati, pushed Jasmine Williams, 21, down a flight of stairs at her New York home. According to court papers, while Williams was at the bottom of the 10 steps, "the defendant picked up (her) head and slammed informant's head on the bottom step."

If Stephenson is convicted on all counts, he could face 12 years behind bars, according to the New York Post. Stephenson and Williams have a child.

In a lengthy statement, Pacers president Larry Bird called Stephenson's arrest "very disappointing to the Pacers franchise and to me personally."

Stephenson's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, said his client "did not maliciously, intentionally or in any other way cause harm to Jasmine Williams."

Media

Arkansas radio personality loses job two days after wearing Florida hat to Razorbacks news conference: An Arkansas radio personality announced she was fired two days after wearing a Florida Gators hat to an Arkansas Razorbacks news conference.

Renee Gork announced on Twitter she had been fired by KAKS, a northwest Arkansas station that calls itself Hog Sports Radio. Gork had worn a Gators hat Saturday to a news conference with Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino.

Petrino, whose team lost to the Gators 23-20 last season, commented on Gork's hat after answering a question she asked. "And that will be the last question I answer with that hat on," Petrino said.

Gork, a Florida graduate, said she grabbed the hat without thinking and wore it because it was raining. She also said she sent a letter of apology to the university and Petrino.

"Was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today ... but I won't get that chance," Gork wrote on KAKS' Twitter account. "I've been fired."

General manager Dan Storrs confirmed Gork is no longer working for KAKS.

Storrs declined to comment further on Gork but said, "This radio station is Hog Sports Radio. We are very biased. We support the Razorbacks 100 percent."

CBS College Sports hires ex-coach Leach: Mike Leach, former Texas Tech football coach, will call games on television as he pursues a lawsuit over his firing from the school.

Cable network CBS College Sports announced Leach will work as an analyst this season. He will work with play-by-play man Roger Twibell.

Texas Tech fired Leach Dec. 30, two days after suspending him amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion.

Leach has denied mistreating the player, and his lawyers have suggested he was fired because he was due to receive an $800,000 bonus Dec. 31.

College basketball

ESPN plans another full day of games: For the second consecutive year, ESPN will mark the early part of the season with 24 consecutive hours of live game coverage.

Games from 17 states are to be shown Nov. 15 and 16, including a San Diego State-at-Gonzaga game Nov. 16.

Crossroads Classic in Indiana: Four high-profile programs in Indiana will get together for the new Crossroads Classic in 2011 and 2012 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

In the December 2011 doubleheader, Purdue will play Butler and Notre Dame will face Indiana.

Figure skating

Ex-champion Bobek gets probation: Nicole Bobek, the 1995 national champion, was ordered to spend five years on probation for her role in a New Jersey methamphetamine ring. She pleaded guilty in June to a charge of conspiring to distribute crystal meth. Bobek also was ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine.

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