Sports briefs for June 18, 2004

Friday, June 18, 2004 | 11:17 a.m.

Lawyer: Jones passed lie detector test

Hours after she was accused of grandstanding by the international doping chief, Marion Jones stepped up her public relations offensive by releasing results of a lie detector test her lawyer said proves she never took performance-enhancing drugs.

Jones and her legal team have sparred recently with IOC president Jacques Rogge, the United States Anti-Doping Agency and World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound in their attempt to clear the star sprinter of drug allegations.

The latest move by the five-time Olympic medalist involved taking a lie detector test Wednesday at her attorney's office and sending the results to USADA on Thursday.

"The passing of the polygraph just vindicates and supports fully the position Marion has taken through all of this time," Burton said on a conference call.

Two opt out of draft

Two of the Southeastern Conference's top players, All-American Lawrence Roberts of Mississippi State and Brandon Bass of LSU, pulled out of the NBA draft and will return to their schools next season. Saint Joseph's guard Delonte West, meanwhile, will said he will skip his senior season and remain in the June 24 draft, despite not being projected as a first-round pick.

He ordered Bryant's defense team and Eagle County prosecutors to keep the messages and an accompanying letter from AT&T Wireless Communications sealed for now.

Speaking less than 48 hours after the Lakers were beaten by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, general manager Mitch Kupchak also said the team will do whatever it takes to keep Kobe Bryant, and trading Shaquille O'Neal is a possibility if the star center demands it.

Lightning goalie stays

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up the $6.5 million option to bring back goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who helped them win their first Stanley Cup title. Khabibulin tied for the league lead with five shutouts and posted a 1.71 goals-against average in the 2004 playoffs.

Rooney paces England

Wayne Rooney became the youngest goal-scorer in European Championship history, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory against Switzerland.

Rooney, 18, headed in a cross from Michael Owen in the 23rd minute after England was outplayed early on. He added a second goal with 15 minutes left.

In the other Group B game, France tied Croatia 2-2.

LB's Weaver honored

Long Beach State pitcher Jered Weaver won the Dick Howser Trophy on Friday as college baseball's player of the year.