BASKETBALL
Clippers’ Griffin unanimous choice for NBA’s top rookie
LOS ANGELES | Clippers forward Blake Griffin was named the Rookie of the Year on Wednesday after a landslide vote, becoming the NBA’s first unanimous choice for the award in 21 years.
Griffin received every first-place vote from a panel of 118 media members, easily outdistancing Washington’s John Wall. The 6-foot-10 forward is the first to win it unanimously since San Antonio’s David Robinson in 1990, and just the third unanimous choice in NBA history after Ralph Sampson in 1984.
Griffin led all rookies in scoring and rebounding while playing in all 82 games for Los Angeles, finishing 12th in the NBA in scoring (22.5 points) and fourth in rebounds (12.1).
GOLF
Sabbatini lands in hot water with PGA Tour officials
CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Rory Sabbatini could face suspension from the PGA Tour for what was described as a profanity-laced argument with Sean O’Hair during last week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
According to multiple players and officials, it was the second time this year that Sabbatini has run into trouble because of his behavior on the golf course. The first incident was at Riviera in the Northern Trust Open, where Sabbatini was said to have spoken harshly to a teenage volunteer who was trying to help him find a lost ball.
SOCCER
Manchester United storms into Champions League final
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND | After rolling past Schalke, Manchester United has a chance to avenge its loss to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.
Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson had early goals, Anderson scored twice and the Red Devils beat Schalke 4-1 Wednesday night for a 6-1 aggregate victory in the most one-sided Champions League semifinal in 22 years.
Manchester United plays Barcelona at Wembley on May 28. In the 2009 final, Barcelona defeated the Red Devils 2-0 in Rome.
NCAA
Justice Department: BCS format may violate antitrust laws
The Justice Department wants to know why the NCAA doesn’t have a college football playoff system and says there are “serious questions” about whether the current format to determine a national champion complies with antitrust laws.
Critics who have urged the department to investigate the Bowl Championship Series contend it unfairly gives some schools preferential access to the title championship game and top-tier end-of-the-season bowl contents.
In a letter this week, the department’s antitrust chief, Christine Varney, asked NCAA President Mark Emmert why a playoff system isn’t used in football, unlike in other sports. Bill Hancock, the BCS executive director, was confident the current system complies with the law.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Benimon becomes second Hoya who will transfer
Georgetown suffered its second loss of the offseason Wednesday when it announced Jerrelle Benimon will transfer. No destination was specified for Benimon, a sophomore forward. Last season he appeared in each game, averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10.3 minutes.
Benimon joins Vee Sanford, who announced plans to transfer last month. With the departures, Georgetown falls one scholarship under the NCAA limit of 13 for next season.
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