BASKETBALL

Red Claws release Harris for violating team policies

Paul Harris, the first draft pick ever by the Maine Red Claws, was released by the NBA Development League club for “repeated violations of team policy.”

The Red Claws would not comment any further than what was said in the press release.

“The Red Claws do not comment on internal team personnel matters,” said Jana Spaulding, the team’s vice president of public and community relations. “We wish Paul well and appreciate everything he did for us.”

Harris, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound forward out of Syracuse and a fan favorite because of his hustle, had appeared in only 20 games this season for the 13-22 Red Claws as he battled back problems all season. He averaged 11.4 points per game, along with 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

After being the Red Claws’ first draft pick, Harris missed his entire rookie season with an ankle injury.

He returned for the 2010-11 season, only to leave the team in January as he bought out his contract to play professionally in the Philippines. He won a championship there, then rejoined the Red Claws this year — three weeks into the season.

He stayed out of training camp because of complications in the premature birth of his third son.

FOOTBALL

NFL: Four-time Pro Bowl guard Kris Dielman has retired from the San Diego Chargers, saying it’s the right thing to do after he sustained a concussion last season that led the NFL to tell game officials to watch closely for symptoms during games.

Dielman was hurt early in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets on Oct. 23. He continued to play because the Chargers were out of offensive linemen due to other injuries. The team didn’t diagnose his condition until after the game. Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure on the flight home and was hospitalized overnight.

• The Philadelphia Eagles placed the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson, assuring the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver at least $9.4 million next season if he signs the tender.

GOLF

PGA TOUR: Rory McIlroy opened with a 4-under 66 in the Honda Classic, leaving him two shots behind Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III.

Love made a hole-in-one and finished with two birdies to tie the course record at PGA National with a 64, making him the 10th player to post that number since the Honda Classic moved here five

McIlroy was joined at 66 by a large group that included Justin Rose, Ryan Palmer and Harris English, the PGA Tour rookie who won on the Nationwide Tour last year as an amateur and has yet to miss a cut this year.

AUTO RACING

NASCAR: Penske Racing will switch from Dodge to Ford in NASCAR competition beginning in 2013, a move the team believes will help Roger Penske finally win a Sprint Cup championship.

Penske said his drivers will compete with Ford Fusions in the Sprint Cup Series, and Ford Mustangs in the Nationwide Series.

— From staff and news services