SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Bobby Jackson expects to play for the Sacramento Kings on Sunday after missing the last five weeks with a strained muscle in his abdomen.

Jackson, the NBA's top sixth man last season, also expects the Kings to return to the form they showed before he got injured _ before Chris Webber returned from a knee injury 3{ weeks ago. That's when Sacramento hit its worst slump of the year while trying to integrate its best player into what had been the NBA's best team.

``We know how good we can be,'' Jackson said after feeling no discomfort during a lengthy practice Friday. ``We're not giving that same effort every night. We're not guarding nobody. That's one through 10. Everybody is killing us. We know what we've got to do. We can't make excuses. We have to come out and play defense.''

The Kings (51-21) led the Western Conference by just two games entering Friday's action _ a tenuous hold on the spot they've occupied since late November. Sacramento is 8-6 since Webber's return, including four losses in the last six games.

Jackson averaged 13.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game before getting hurt Feb. 20 at Chicago. He has missed 19 games.

``My stomach is fine, but my feet are barking like I ran a marathon today,'' Jackson said. ``You never know with this injury. There's always going to be a little discomfort. If I need surgery, I can get it after the season, but right now I think I need to be out there.''

Jackson's absence has been costly, forcing Mike Bibby to play extra minutes and leaving the team without a true point guard when Bibby rested. The Kings also miss Jackson's spark plug presence on their defense, which has allowed 103.7 points over the last six games.

The Kings refused to rush Jackson back, because such injuries can linger for months if not properly rested. Shaquille O'Neal battled a stomach injury for much of last season, and Washington's Gilbert Arenas twice re-injured himself earlier this season when he attempted to come back too early.

Forward Gerald Wallace, out 15 games with a sprained left foot, also returned to practice Friday. He expects to play Sunday, forcing the Kings to make a roster move that might send guard Rodney Buford to the injured list.

Sacramento also has fallen 1{ games behind Indiana for the NBA's best record, while the Los Angeles Lakers moved within 2{ games of the Pacific Division lead with their 115-91 pounding of the Kings on Wednesday night.

Coach Rick Adelman put the Kings through a physical workout Friday, with another planned for Saturday, a day before a home game against the Wizards. Six of the Kings' final nine games are on the road, including a brutal trip to face all three playoff-bound Texas teams next week.

Barring any setbacks, Adelman expects Jackson to play approximately 20 minutes Sunday.

``I told him, 'I don't care about your feet,''' Adelman said with a grin. ``He hasn't been out here in a long time, but you can see the difference he makes just by being out here at practice. He raises the level. It changes the rotation a lot having him ready to play, and it changes our energy level off the bench.''

The Indiana Pacers have the NBA's best record, and their lead over the Sacramento Kings - their opponent Friday night - is growing.

Ron Artest scored 21 points to lead the Pacers to an 80-71 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, making Rick Carlisle the sixth coach to win at least 50 games in his first three seasons since the NBA expanded the schedule to 82 games in 1967.

Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Paul Westphal, Gregg Popovich and Rick Adelman are the others.

Indiana improved the NBA's best record to 50-17, while Sacramento fell to 49-19 with its second straight loss _ 114-108 to Washington.

Elsewhere, Atlanta edged Dallas 111-110; the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Clippers 106-103; Toronto topped Utah 85-81; New Orleans crushed Philadelphia 104-80; Boston defeated Denver 104-100; and Golden State downed Orlando 110-85.

Carlisle won exactly 50 games in each of his first two seasons coaching the Detroit Pistons before being replaced by Larry Brown last summer. He was hired by Pacers president Larry Bird in September and appears headed for much more than 50 wins this season.

The Pacers closed with a 10-0 run to put away a Portland team that had made a habit of beating the league's best teams in recent weeks.

Indiana is 11-1 at home against Western Conference opponents, including seven consecutive wins.

``Right now we're in a good position, but we take nothing for granted,'' Carlisle said. ``Winning 50 was certainly one of our goals, but we still have a lot of work to do.''

Reggie Miller added 18 points for the Pacers, who overcame a big disparity at the free-throw line (25-6).

The Blazers, who beat Sacramento and Minnesota twice during their four-game win streak, went scoreless for the final five minutes.

Wizards 114, Kings 108

At Washington, Kwame Brown set career highs with 30 points and 19 rebounds while playing all 48 minutes.

Brown shot 12-for-16 from the field and 6-for-7 at the free-throw line, including two free throws with 23.6 seconds left to give the Wizards a 113-105 lead. Washington snapped its seven-game losing streak.

``We knew they were going to underestimate us,'' Brown said.

Gilbert Arenas had 27 points, 10 assists, a career-high eight steals and five rebounds for Washington while also playing the entire game. Jerry Stackhouse came off the bench for the second straight night with 21 points and seven assists.

Hawks 111, Mavericks 110

At Dallas, Stephen Jackson scored 36 points, including 31 in the first half, and Atlanta led by as many as 26 in snapping the Mavericks' nine-game home winning streak.

Atlanta opened a big lead behind Jackson's 12-for-16 shooting before Dallas used a 34-21 fourth quarter to nearly pull off the biggest comeback in franchise history. But Steve Nash failed to hit the rim on a fading left-handed runner at the buzzer.

Nash scored 30 points _ 25 in the second half _ and Dirk Nowitzki added 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who began the night with a league-best 29-4 home record.

Lakers 106, Clippers 103

At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant had 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and four teammates scored in double figures.

Shaquille O'Neal had 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots before fouling out with 1:52 left, and Karl Malone had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists in his fourth game since missing nearly three months with a knee injury.

The win was the seventh in nine games for the Lakers (45-23), who moved a season-high 22 games over .500 and within four games of the Kings.

Raptors 85, Jazz 81

At Toronto, Vince Carter scored 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall each added 17 points for the Raptors, who are 2-0 since Rose returned to the lineup after missing a month with four broken bones in his right hand.

Gordan Giricek had 25 points and Andrei Kirilenko added 20 for the Jazz (34-34), who remained 1{ games behind Denver in the West.

Hornets 104, 76ers 80

At New Orleans, rookie David West hit all seven of his shots for a career-high 15 points and fueled a momentum-changing third-quarter surge.

Baron Davis added 20 points, hitting a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer and two more early in the fourth as the Hornets pulled away.

Celtics 104, Nuggets 100

At Boston, Paul Pierce had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics improved to 12-1 when playing at home on St. Patrick's Day.

Warriors 110, Magic 85

At Oakland, Troy Murphy came off the bench for 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Golden State won back-to-back games for the first time in more than a month.

There have been great players - John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Dominique Wilkins - whose greatness was never challenged, even though they never won an NBA title. But Chris Webber says he has to get a ring. He'll be incomplete without one.

"It doesn't make you less of a player, but it's something that definitely I would be empty without after my playing career," Webber said before the scoring 15 points in the Kings' 94-77 loss to the Nets last night at the Meadowlands. "I can't say I wouldn't. I can't say it wouldn't affect me. I would be empty without it.

" . . . I don't think it makes me," Webber added. "Barkley's a great player, Dominique's a great player, so it doesn't make you. But it's something I want and something that I think would signify me in my mind as a pretty good player."

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A grainy photo Chris Webber keeps in his locker shows him dunking and scowling with as much menace as a Detroit teenager can muster.

He put the photo there about a year ago, primarily for comedy's sake _ his legs are splayed to a ridiculous width _ but it's also a reminder of good times for Webber, who just went through one of the most difficult periods of his life.

The five-time All-Star returned to the Sacramento Kings' lineup last week for the first time since May, when he seriously injured his left knee during a playoff game. The 10 months since were a nightmare of rehab and legal problems, leaving him in a sort of depression that's only just begun to lift.

``You just want to be in a dungeon,'' Webber said. ``You want to be by yourself and work it out. When you can't do anything, you feel like, what am I here for? That's why I``m just grateful for this _ grateful to be back and just thinking about winning.''

Webber is back in uniform, but it'll be a while before he's back to top form. His season debut _ 26 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over the Clippers _ was shockingly successful, but the Kings don't expect such numbers out of their recovering power forward every night.

In fact, they expect a few more games similar to Webber's performance Tuesday against Golden State: He shot 2-for-21 from the field, sparking boos from the most impatient Sacramento fans.

``You can say it was horrible, horrific, terrible and a couple of words you can't use on TV, but that's about it,'' Webber said. ``I felt very good. It wasn't knee-related. It wasn't leg-related. It was shot-related. It was wrist-related.''

And that's the most important factor for Webber: He feels completely healthy for the first time in years. In fact, his troublesome ankles are as solid as they've ever been, thanks to 10 months without the excessive jumping that's necessary in the NBA.

The Western Conference-leading Kings (47-16) are taking it slow with Webber, resting him for the second game of back-to-back nights and limiting his playing time, even if it means sitting him in the closing minutes of tight games. Coach Rick Adelman hopes Webber will hit his stride in about a month _ just before the playoffs begin.

``But there's only so much you can do to slow down Chris,'' Adelman said. ``He's been waiting in the wings for so long, and it's not a natural feeling for him. He wants to be active. He's used to being the best player on the court, and he'll get back there soon.''

After watching his teammates compile the NBA's best record without him this season, Webber realizes he's just one ingredient in the Kings' recipe for success.

And that's a comfort to a player who has been in the spotlight for several dispiriting reasons in recent years. Now that rehab is over and his legal battles largely have been settled, Webber is searching for some sort of normalcy in his routine as the playoffs approach.

If postseason pressure gets Webber down this spring, he'll quickly realize things could be much worse: He could be on the underwater treadmill, or he could be in the Kings' deserted practice complex, running countless agility drills with trainer Manny Romero.

``I can't imagine a more tough time,'' Webber said. ``Usually when you get on the court, you can let off that steam. But it was just me and Manny in a room. There's no fun in that. It's like someone saying you can't be a part of your family.''

When Webber returned to the Kings' active roster after the All-Star break, the NBA suspended him for eight games. A suspension was expected after he pleaded guilty to lying to a grand jury about his relationship with University of Michigan booster Ed Martin _ but Webber got an extra ban for violating the league's drug policy.

Webber had a marijuana arrest in his past, but had been nowhere near trouble in his five years in Sacramento. He had been a model citizen, participating in numerous charity ventures and community activities while winning over Sacramento despite a big flirtation with free agency in 2001.

``We just want him to get back to playing basketball,'' Vlade Divac said. ``He knows that we support him, and Sacramento supports him. He only has to worry about his teammates and the fans in Sacramento. Nobody else matters.''

When Webber got discouraged, he would rely on his family, his teammates, his faith and memories of better times, such as those in the photo in his locker. But even Webber's high school days are no longer a refuge: The Michigan High School Athletic Association recently ruled Webber was ineligible when he played at Detroit Country Day High School because of his relationship with Martin.

``I'm not bitter. I'm not angry,'' Webber said. ``I just want to start over. I want to enjoy the job that I have and enjoy the people that I'm around while I have time to be around them.

``Before, you want to fight every battle. You want to prove everyone wrong. I'm just in a place now where I want to enjoy the people I have around me.''

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Guard Rodney Buford signed a second 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

Buford, a four-year NBA veteran, has been a backup while Bobby Jackson is out with an abdominal strain. He went scoreless in five minutes of play Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Chris Webber was in midseason form in his midseason debut.

Webber had 26 points and 12 rebounds Tuesday night, helping the Kings to a 113-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Webber was cheered from the moment he took the court for the first time since injuring his knee in the second round of last season's playoffs. In the interim, he underwent knee surgery, endured nine months of rehabilitation and got an eight-game suspension for lying to a grand jury and violating the NBA's drug policy.

Webber showed no rust coming off the longest basketball layoff of his life.

``It feels so good to be contributing to your team instead of being a distraction in the media or a negative for the stupid things that you've done,'' Webber said. ``I didn't expect to play (like that), but I did try. It was just so much adrenaline to hear my name announced. Not nervousness _ a rush.''

In other games, Indiana outlasted Golden State 96-88, New Jersey defeated Denver 95-91, Atlanta stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 94-93, Toronto edged Miami 89-86 and Dallas beat Seattle 107-96.

Webber made a short hook shot on the Kings' first possession, and had nine points and six rebounds in the first quarter.

By the time he left for good with 4:20 to play, nobody was in doubt: Webber will be ready for a playoff run, as long as he recovers from his first game as quickly as he expects.

``That's what we told him: He's going to have some ups and downs, and that's OK as long as he's ready in April,'' said Kings coach Rick Adelman, who stuck to his pre-set limit of 30 minutes for Webber. ``This gives us a really good idea of how he can be and what he can do. ... I never expected him to play like he did tonight.''

Los Angeles trailed for most of the first three quarters, but Elton Brand hit two free throws with 2:21 left to give the Clippers a 102-101 lead.

Peja Stojakovic made two free throws moments later, then stole a pass and drove for a layup. Vlade Divac, Brad Miller and Doug Christie added two free throws apiece in the final 23 seconds as the Kings improved the NBA's best record to 44-15.

Pacers 96, Warriors 88

At Oakland, Calif., Reggie Miller scored 21 points and the Pacers sent Golden State to its third straight loss in a game marred by an ugly confrontation in the final minutes.

Golden State's Cliff Robinson and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal were ejected with 3:23 left after two separate altercations. The players had to be restrained by several teammates and coaches all the way off the court.

The Pacers won for the fifth time in six games as Ron Artest had 12 points and six rebounds after being activated from the injured list earlier in the day. He scored seven straight late in the game to help stave off a Golden State comeback.

Nets 95, Nuggets 91

At Denver, Kerry Kittles scored a season-high 34 points and Kenyon Martin added 22 as New Jersey improved to 15-2 under interim coach Lawrence Frank.

Carmelo Anthony had 26 points, including 15 in the first quarter, as Denver lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Nene hit a pair of baskets in the waning seconds, but after each basket the Nuggets fouled Kittles, who went 4-of-4 from the line.

Hawks 94, Lakers 93

At Atlanta, Jason Terry's free throw with 11.9 seconds left put the Hawks ahead, and Gary Payton and Shaquille O'Neal missed last-second shots.

Kobe Bryant, the Lakers' leading scorer, was in Colorado for a closed hearing in the sexual assault case against him. It was the first time this season he missed a game when healthy; he sat out 14 others with various injuries.

Terry finished with 23 points and Stephen Jackson added 13 for the Hawks, who won for only the second time in seven games.

Raptors 89, Heat 86

At Miami, Vince Carter came off the injured list and scored 27 points to help Toronto snap a nine-game losing streak.

The teams combined to score 19 points in the fourth quarter, breaking the NBA record for fewest combined points (20) in the final period.

The game ended with Miami coach Stan Van Gundy rushing toward the officials and screaming after no foul was called on Chris Bosh as he defended Eddie Jones' 3-point attempt just before the final buzzer.

Mavericks 107, SuperSonics 96

At Dallas, Michael Finley scored 35 points, 20 in the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks stretched their winning streak to six.

Finley had 11 points _ four jumpers and a 3-pointer _ in a decisive 22-1 stretch run that lifted the Mavericks, who were without starting point guard Steve Nash (stomach flu).

Rookie Marquis Daniels started at the point and had 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) For the rest of the season, Chris Webber will be striving for two things he's never owned: a championship ring and a low profile.

Webber returned to the Sacramento Kings' lineup Tuesday after knee surgery, nine months of rehabilitation and an eight-game suspension. He was expected to start against the Los Angeles Clippers.

``I think it'll be a tough adjustment period,'' Webber said. ``This is the longest in my life since playing basketball that I've gone without playing _ approximately 10 months. I think one of my biggest things is to not let the crowd get me so tight that I try to dunk from half court.

``I want to use that energy to the good, not energy that you can't control.''

The five-time All-Star hadn't played since last summer's playoffs, when he was injured against Dallas. He has been practicing with the Kings for nearly two months, but was suspended when the Kings activated him from the injured list after the All-Star break.

Webber led the Kings in points, rebounds and assists last season, but realizes his return could be a disruption to Sacramento's superb season. The Kings, who lead the NBA in scoring and winning percentage, seem headed for their third straight Pacific Division title _ and Webber just wants to fit in.

``I think it'll just be a good thing,'' All-Star center Brad Miller said. ``He's a great player, and I've never played with him yet. I'm looking forward to it.''

Coach Rick Adelman also must perform a delicate operation during Sacramento's final 24 regular-season games: working Webber back into the rotation without disrupting the Kings' impressive chemistry. He will monitor Webber's playing time closely.

``You don't want to get him hurt again, but you also want to get the process started where he can be as strong and as resilient as he ever was,'' Adelman said. ``You've got to play to get to that point, and I think he'll be there before too long.''

Miller, Vlade Divac, Darius Songaila and Tony Massenburg all seem likely to play fewer minutes with Webber back, while All-Star Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby almost certainly will get fewer shots. But none of the players in Sacramento's close-knit locker room would dream of complaining _ particularly because Webber is well-liked by all the Kings.

From his seat behind the bench over the past four months, Webber has seen his teammates' growing cohesion.

``I've had a chance to watch our team, and I don't want to mess up our flow,'' Webber said. ``My main thing is for us to continue winning, not for me to come back and try to average a million points, but to stay within myself.''

Webber has been mostly tightlipped on the particulars of his suspension of five games for violating the league's drug policy, and three for pleading guilty to lying to a grand jury investigating the scandal at the University of Michigan.

Michigan booster Ed Martin, who died last year, said he gave Webber and his family $280,000 over a six-year period. Webber was sentenced to community service last summer after pleading guilty to criminal contempt.

The drug ban was particularly disquieting to Kings fans who have stood behind Webber as his college troubles unraveled over the past three years. Webber only has termed the ban ``disappointing'' _ and he hopes his return to the court will obscure his troubles for now.

``I'm excited, but I haven't had the goosebumps, because this atmosphere is so light here, with the team making fun and making jokes,'' Webber said. ``Butterflies are good, though, because they make you push. I know they're going to come. I just don't know when.''

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) When Chris Webber returns to the Sacramento Kings' lineup on Tuesday, he plans to take it slow.

Webber will make his season debut in the Kings' home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He missed the first 50 games while recovering from offseason knee surgery, and was suspended the past eight games _ five for a violation of the NBA's drug policy and three for his conviction on charges of lying to a grand jury.

Webber is expected to start against the Clippers, but he won't play big minutes until he has a chance to get back into the flow with his teammates. Despite his absence, the Kings lead the NBA in scoring and winning percentage.

``We're going to see about how long I can play,'' Webber said after practice Monday. ``It's about seeing guys like Jerry Stackhouse and Allan Houston who had similar injuries. You kind of have to take your time.

``There's already going to be a transition period with the team having me back, so I don't want to make it inconsistent by coming back and getting re-injured. I'm just thinking positive and trying to do my best.''

Either Vlade Divac or All-Star Brad Miller will come off the bench if Webber is in the starting lineup. Both Divac and Miller said they don't care who starts, while backup forwards Darius Songaila and Tony Massenburg said they won't mind reduced playing time.

``There's not an ego thing on this team at all,'' said Miller, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the Kings' victory over Phoenix on Sunday night. He had missed the previous seven games after spraining his right foot in the All-Star game.

Webber led the Kings with 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season, but the five-time All-Star injured his knee in the second game of the conference semifinals against Dallas.

Following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Webber began a lengthy rehabilitation process. The team bought an underwater treadmill and devoted plenty of resources to Webber's recovery, which proceeded slowly through training camp and into the winter.

But Sacramento has barely missed a beat in his absence. The Kings have the NBA's best record at 43-15, and they lead the Los Angeles Lakers by five games in the race for their third straight Pacific Division title.

Webber was activated from the injured list after the All-Star break. He was suspended a day later, but he has been practicing with the Kings and talking with his coaches.

``They've just said that I should come in and play my game,'' Webber said. ``I've also had a chance to watch this team. I don't want to mess up our flow. I think the main thing is for us to continue winning.''

DETROIT (AP) Chris Webber was ineligible when he played basketball in high school because of his relationship with booster Ed Martin, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association made the ruling Sunday, saying Webber was ineligible during the time he played at Birmingham Detroit Country Day, the newspaper reported. The association's executive director also urged the school to forfeit the three state championships it won with Webber.

Martin, who died Feb. 14, 2003, said he gave Webber and his family $280,000 from 1988-93, a period extending from his freshman year of high school through his sophomore season at the University of Michigan. Webber left for the NBA after helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA title game in both of his college seasons.

Webber, who now plays for the Sacramento Kings, was sentenced to community service last summer after pleading guilty to criminal contempt for lying to a grand jury about his dealings with Martin.

Jack Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA, said he found overwhelming evidence that the Webbers _ Chris; his father, Mayce Webber Jr.; and an aunt, Charlene Johnson _ received gifts and money that violated Webber's amateur standing, making him ineligible to compete in high school athletics.

``I think they should do it (forfeit the titles),'' Roberts told the newspaper. ``I've said it at the first, second and third meetings with them that they should voluntarily forfeit the contests and return the team championships and get it over.''

Kurt Keener, Country Day's basketball coach and athletic director, said the school's headmaster would hold a news conference Monday or Tuesday to explain the situation.

Keener said he spoke with Webber's parents, who denied receiving gifts that would violate their son's amateur standing. Keener said he also spoke to Webber's attorney, who said his amateur standing had not been violated.

Martin gave $616,000 in illicit benefits to Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock _ who all starred at Michigan.

Officials from Detroit Murray-Wright, where Traylor played high school basketball, voluntarily forfeited every game won during Traylor's senior season.

BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. (AP) Chris Webber's high school refused Monday to forfeit three state championship basketball titles he helped win, a day after the Michigan High School Athletic Association ruled he should not have been allowed to play because of his relationship with a former Michigan booster.

The Sacramento Kings star violated his amateur standing and was ineligible during the time he played at Detroit Country Day, the governing body said Sunday. The association had left it up to the school to decide whether to forfeit games in which Webber played, including three state championships.

Country Day Headmaster Gerald Hansen said there was no trustworthy basis to support the MHSAA's claim that Webber was ineligible.

``The assertion is based upon unproven innuendo, suspicion and speculation,'' said Hansen, reading from a prepared statement. ``Because Country Day has been given no credible evidence that Mr. Webber violated his amateur status while a student here, the school felt obligated to fight to retain the championships and to protect the school's interests.''

The association's executive director, Jack Roberts, urged the school to forfeit the championships it won from 1989-91 with Webber and recommended the executive committee strike the team and Webber's performance from its basketball records. However, the executive committee decided only to delete the references to Webber.

``I suggested to them that they voluntarily forfeit,'' Roberts said Monday. ``That would be the most appropriate.''

Ed Martin, who died last year, said he gave Webber and his family $280,000 from 1988-93, a period extending from Webber's freshman year of high school through his sophomore season at Michigan. Webber left for the NBA after helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA title game in both his college seasons.

Webber was sentenced to community service last summer after pleading guilty to criminal contempt for lying to a grand jury about his dealings with Martin.

Webber is expected to return to the Kings' lineup for the first time this season Tuesday. He has been out with a knee injury most of the season and missed the last eight games while on a suspension, which included three games for his guilty plea.

A message left with Webber's agent Monday was not immediately returned.

Country Day disagreed with the MHSAA that Webber's amateur standing was violated, and association officials said there was no evidence that Country Day officials were aware of the violations at the time they occurred.

Webber was third in the state in career scoring with 2,628 points, first in games played with 107, tied for first for free throws in championship play with 14-for-16 shooting, and second in rebounds in a championship game with 22.

Martin said he gave $616,000 in illicit benefits to Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock _ who all starred at Michigan.

The MHSAA found that Webber and Traylor violated amateur status rules. Officials from Detroit Murray-Wright, where Traylor played high school basketball, voluntarily forfeited every game won during Traylor's senior season. Murray-Wright won the Class A state championship in 1994, Traylor's junior year, but no link to Martin was found until his senior year.

Michigan imposed sanctions on itself because of the scandal, including a one-year postseason ban, and forfeited 112 regular-season and tournament victories from five seasons. Michigan also removed four banners from Crisler Arena: for the 1992 and 1993 Final Fours, 1997 NIT title and 1998 Big Ten tournament title.