IN BRIEF (Page 22)

NBA

Curry named Pistons coach

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan: Michael Curry was introduced as the new coach of the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, taking over an experienced squad that has fallen one step short of reaching the NBA Finals for the last three years.

Curry, a former Pistons player and assistant coach last season, takes over from Flip Saunders, who was sacked last week. The job will be Curry's first as a head coach.

"Given his knowledge of the game and tireless work ethic, we believe he is the right man to lead our team," Pistons president Joe Dumars told a news conference. "Michael understands the culture of our franchise and its expectations."

The Pistons have reached the Eastern conference final each of the last three seasons but failed to make it to the championship series each time.

NHL

Maple Leafs pick head coach

TORONTO: The National Hockey League's Toronto Maple Leafs dipped into the past on Tuesday and named former player Ron Wilson as head coach of the team, which is coming off the latest of a string of disappointing seasons.

Wilson, who was fired last month by the San Jose Sharks, replaces Paul Maurice, who was let go after two seasons as Leaf coach.

The Leafs last appeared in the NHL playoffs in 2004 and have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967.

Cycling

Boonen probed for cocaine

BRUSSELS: Belgian sprint specialist Tom Boonen is being investigated for suspected cocaine possession after traces of the drug were found in a urine sample last month, a public prosecutor's spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

"He tested positive on May 26 ... he faces between three months and five years of prison if found guilty," Inge Delissen, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor's office in the city of Turnhout said. She said no decision had been made yet on whether to charge the former world champion.

Police carried out a series of searches on Monday but found no evidence, she added.

(China Daily 06/12/2008 page22)