Sports briefs for April 26, 2005

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | 10:51 a.m.

World's top prospect may go pro in Europe

Sidney Crosby, the junior-hockey player considered the best prospect in the world, may turn professional in Europe next season, his agent said, because of the NHL lockout.

The agent, Pat Brisson, said he has had preliminary negotiations with teams in Sweden and Switzerland and has had talks with teams in Russia. Even if the NHL and its players union come to an agreement after missing the entire 2004-05 season, Brisson said new restrictions of entry-level salaries could make it more profitable for Crosby to start his career outside North America.

"I'm not saying he's going to go to Europe for sure, but it's clearly an option," Brisson said. "We'll have to make some decisions in the early part of June."

Crosby, who turns 18 in August, plays for the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 62 games, he had a league-leading 168 points. His buildup as an amateur in Canada is comparable to that of Wayne Gretzky in the 1970s or Mario Lemieux in the early 1980s.

The NHL has postponed its entry draft and there is the possibility that his junior team will claim rights to him for two more seasons if the NHL does not draft him and resume playing.

Coaching legend retires

The nation's all-time winningest boys' basketball coach, Robert Hughes of Fort Worth Dunbar, is calling it quits after 47 seasons and 1,333 victories. "It's time to do the Ray Charles. I'm going to hit the road, Jack," said Hughes, 76.

"That's his decision, so I feel good about it," Jackson Lanier High School coach Thomas Billups said. "Anytime he makes a decision, you have to feel good about it."

Billups said Ellis has not hired an agent, so he could withdraw from the draft pool and play at Mississippi State. He signed with the Bulldogs in November.

Peru's coach quits

The coach of Peru's national team, Brazilian Paulo Autuori, has resigned because of a congressional investigation into his salary. Faced with what he called a "humiliating and aggressive interrogation" into his private life, Autouori resigned with five World Cup qualifying matches remaining.

Courson to testify

Former Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay guard Steve Courson, who says that steroids caused him serious health problems, was among those added to the witness list for Wednesday's congressional hearing on the use of steroids in the NFL. -- Sun wire services