BASEBALL

CLEMENS STRUGGLES A BIT IN SECOND TUNEUP

Roger Clemens didn’t look ready for the major leagues last night.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings while pitching for the Yankees’ Double-A Trenton farm team against Boston’s Portland, Maine, affiliate.

In his second minor league start since signing with the Yankees, he threw 64 of 102 pitches for strikes, struggling at times with his control and what appeared to be heavy legs.

The 44-year-old, who may make his next start for the Yankees next week at Toronto, was given a standing ovation by the Thunder’s record crowd of 9,134 at Waterfront Park.

PAVANO PROBABLY HEADED FOR TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

Carl Pavano probably is headed for reconstructive elbow surgery, potentially ending his unproductive stint with the Yankees.

After being examined by four doctors over the past few weeks, Pavano met yesterday with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to go over all the medical documents.

“All four doctors conclude that he has a damaged ligament and recommend Tommy John surgery,” Cashman said. “Carl is thinking about, obviously, those recommendations and we’ll wait for his decision.”

The right-hander is expected to opt for surgery, which would sideline him for most if not all of the time remaining on his $39.95 million, fouryear contract. Cashman expects to hear Pavano’s decision soon.

GIAMBI MEETS WITH MLB

On the same day a report alleged he failed an amphetamines test, Jason Giambi met with lawyers from the baseball commissioner’s office Wednesday to discuss his recent comments on steroids.

“The commissioner requested that Jason come in in response to the USA Today piece. Jason was interviewed this morning,” union general counsel Michael Weiner said.

He was not interviewed about the amphetamine report, which appeared in the Daily News. The paper said he flunked the test within the last year.

Asked about the report at Yankee Stadium, Giambi said: “I can’t give you an accurate explanation.”

Asked about the meeting, he said, “I hope it went smooth. It was definitely a willingness on both sides.”

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

GEORGETOWN’S HIBBERT TO RETURN; GREEN TO DRAFT

Hanging on the wall of McDonough Gymnasium are two rows of framed NBA jerseys, representing the 20 Georgetown players who made the jump to basketball’s highest level.

At the other end of the gym hangs the program’s lone NCAA national championship banner, which has been patiently waiting 23 years for a companion.

Yesterday, Jeff Green went one way. Roy Hibbert went the other.

The juniors who led Georgetown to this year’s Final Four are breaking up their act. Green announced that he will remain in the NBA draft, while Hibbert said he will withdraw his name and return for his senior season — and a chance at an NCAA championship.

“It’s hard for me to leave this place,” said Green, the Big East player of the year. “College is something that happens only once in your life. It’ll be tough knowing I’m not out there with the guys I came in with.”

BASKETBALL

OFFICIAL: BRIAN HILL OUT AS MAGIC COACH

Brian Hill is out as the Orlando Magic‘s coach after two consecutive losing seasons and a firstround sweep in this year’s playoffs, an official in the NBA said yesterday.

Hill and the club were still negotiating his exit, and it was not clear whether he resigned or was fired, said the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the situation was not entirely resolved. The Magic were prepared to offer Hill another job with the team, the official said.

VINCENT OFFERED BOBCATS’ COACHING JOB

The Charlotte Bobcats have chosen Dallas assistant Sam Vincent as their new coach, a person familiar with the search said yesterday.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made, told The Associated Press that Vincent would be introduced at a news conference Friday.

Vincent will be reunited with Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan, who has the final say on all basketball decisions. Jordan and Vincent played together for two seasons with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1980s.

WITTMAN SIGNS CONTRACT TO REMAIN WOLVES COACH

Randy Wittman learned one thing after taking over as interim coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves midway through last season.

“That I don’t want to do it again,” Wittman said Wednesday after signing a multiyear contract that makes him the permanent replacement for Dwane Casey in Minnesota. “That was a hard situation. It’s very hard to try to maintain and keep things together when things all around you are falling apart.”