Briefs | NBA: Report: Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur caught with marijuana

NBA

Former Kansas stars kicked out of rookie program: Former Kansas basketball players Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were kicked out of the NBA's rookie transition program on Wednesday after being caught in their hotel room with marijuana and women, sources told ESPN The Magazine.

"They were sent home for violating program rules," NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre told the magazine.

Neither Chalmers nor Arthur returned calls by The Kansas City Star to their cellphones seeking comment. KU coach Bill Self, who saw both players leave his program early after they helped the Jayhawks to the 2008 national championship, issued a statement.

"I certainly would never comment publicly on any personal matter concerning any player I have ever coached," Self said. "Beyond that, I can say that both Mario and Darrell were great to coach. They played a huge role in our success the past few years, in large part due to their unselfishness and the sacrifices they made for our program."

Both players were instrumental in KU's run to the NCAA championship. Chalmers, of course, hit the three-pointer that sent the title game against Memphis to overtime, while Arthur had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

Sources told the magazine that Chalmers, a Miami Heat point guard, and Arthur, a Memphis Grizzlies forward, had been fined $20,000 apiece and might begin the season on the league's suspended list.

Ginobili has ankle surgery: San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle.

The Spurs said that the surgery in Los Angeles had gone well and Ginobili will be in a splint and on crutches for three weeks. Then, his rehabilitation schedule will be determined after his ankle is re-evaluated.

The injury hobbled Ginobili during the NBA playoffs, particularly during the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was cleared to play for Argentina in the Olympics, but re-aggravated the injury during a game against the United States.

Boxing

Tarver set for October bout with Dawson: Antonio Tarver thought back to his 2000 loss to Eric Harding when asked about challenger Chad Dawson.

"I'm looking at this guy as a serious threat," said Tarver, the IBF and IBO light heavyweight champion. "The last time I overlooked somebody, I got my jaw broken."

Tarver (27-4) and Dawson (26-0) attended an outdoor news conference to announce their Oct. 11 title bout at the Palm Casino Resort.

The bout will be televised on Showtime in conjunction with the WBC heavyweight clash from Germany between champion Sam Peter and former titleholder Vitali Klitschko.

Hatton to be trained by Mayweather Sr.: Junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will be trained for his next bout by Floyd Mayweather Sr., the father of the man he fought for a welterweight title last year.

Mayweather, who also trains Oscar De La Hoya, will prepare Hatton for his fight against IBF 140-pound champ Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas on Nov. 22.

Golf

1958 U.S. Open champion Bolt dies: Tommy Bolt, the 1958 U.S. Open champion who had one of golf's sweetest swings and most explosive tempers, has died in Cherokee Village, Ark. He was 92.

His wife, Mary Lou Bolt, said he died Saturday after "his liver shut down."

Track

Three sprinters face off: Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay will tomorrow face off over 100 meters for the first time after the world's three fastest men missed out on an Olympic final showdown.

The sprinters, who have the 10 quickest times in history, will line up in Brussels at the Memorial Van Damme.

Horse racing

Curlin's owners indicted on new federal charges: A federal grand jury has issued new indictments against two part-owners of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

Attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. are accused of defrauding clients of $94 million after winning a settlement from manufacturers of the diet drug fen-phen.

The new indictment charges the men with eight counts of wire fraud.

Seattle Times news services