Jarvis Ends Negotiations With Wizards

Mike Jarvis, who had been discussing the Washington Wizards coaching job with team President Michael Jordan, said Monday he has taken his name out of consideration for the NBA job.

“As many of you know, I have been in discussion with the Washington Wizards about the head coaching position. Unfortunately, we have not been able to come to a mutual agreement. Therefore, a short time ago I informed Michael Jordan of my desire to withdraw my name from consideration for the job,” Jarvis said in a statement.

Jordan, the Wizard president of basketball operations, had been talking to Jarvis since last week but Sunday he gave an indication that the St. John’s coach was not the only candidate.

“There are a lot of other candidates just as qualified,” Jordan said Sunday of Jarvis. “He’s one of the guys who’s interesting.”

Wizard officials were unavailable for comment Monday night.

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Minnesota’s state patrol arrested the 43-year-old man believed responsible for the wrong-way crash that killed Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Malik Sealy in Minneapolis.

Investigators have until noon Wednesday to present the case to the Hennepin County attorney’s office for formal charges against Souksangouane Phengsene, of Minneapolis, who remained under guard at Hennepin County Medical Center, where he’s being treated for serious injuries.

Investigators said Phengsene was driving the wrong way early Saturday morning when his pickup smashed into Sealy’s sports utility vehicle in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, killing the popular player who was returning from teammate Kevin Garnett’s 24th birthday celebration. Blood-alcohol tests are underway.

The Timberwolves are planning to fly to the funeral Friday on the campus of St. John’s University.

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NBA officials are looking into disparaging comments Miami Heat players made about the officials after being eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks, said Rod Thorn, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations.

Miami players blamed the game’s outcome on referees Dick Bavetta, Dan Crawford and Bennett Salvatore.

NBA security officials are investigating the matter, and the league probably will issue a decision by today, Thorn said.