HOOPS: Izzo has LeBron’s OK

LeBron James reportedly would not oppose Tom Izzo‘s hiring as coach of the Cavaliers after it was previously reported that James prefers to play for a coach who has played in the NBA. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, quoting what it termed a “high-level source,” said James would “100 percent” endorse Izzo’s hiring. Though the Cavs hoped Izzo would make a decision over the weekend, Izzo only issued a brief text message yesterday to several reporters: “Still gathering.”

* The Hawks officially named Larry Drew as their new head coach.

AUTO: Hamlin romps at Michigan

Denny Hamlin continued his hot streak, dominating yesterday’s NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway to pick up his second straight victory and fifth of the season. Hamlin led 123 laps and controlled the second half of the race, easily pulling away from Kasey Kahne on a restart with under 20 laps remaining.

Kahne held on for second, followed by pole-sitter Kurt Busch. Four-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson was sixth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was seventh. “All we do is win, baby,” Hamlin said.

* In Montreal, Lewis Hamilton raced to his second straight Formula 1 victory and second Canadian Grand Prix victory in four years, holding off McLaren teammate Jenson Button to take the season points lead from Red Bull’s Mark Webber.

* In Le Mans, France, Audi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the ninth time after all Peugeot cars retired.

BASEBALL: Feds eye Clemens org.

Brian McNamee told federal investigators that Roger Clemens‘ nonprofit organization paid him for his training services, including providing the seven-time Cy Young Award winner with performance-enhancing drugs, according to a New York Times report.

* Jim Joyce, who famously missed a call at first base that cost Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game on June 2, was voted the best umpire in Major League Baseball in a poll of 100 players conducted by ESPN the Magazine. The 22-year veteran was named on 53 percent of the surveys. CB Bucknor was voted the game’s worst ump.

COLLEGE: Big 12 in disarray

Missouri officials were pledging their loyalty to a 10-team Big 12 after fellow Big 12 members Colorado and Nebraska bolted for the Pac-10 and Big Ten, respectively, and its own apparent bid to join the Big Ten failed. Their counterparts in Texas and Oklahoma were preparing for meetings this week that could result in an exodus, with as many as five Big 12 teams possibly headed to the Pac-10.

* In Austin, Texas, Aaron Schultz hit a two-run home run to help TCU beat Texas 4-1 and advance to the College World Series for the first time in school history.

* In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina advanced with a 10-9 win over Coastal Carolina. Christian Walker hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning. . . . In Tallahassee, Florida State advanced to the World Series for the 20th time with a 7-6 win over Vanderbilt.

TENNIS: Federer falls in final

In Halle, Germany, Lleyton Hewitt beat Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 for the first time in 16 matches to win the Gerry Weber Open title, a warmup tournament for Wimbledon.