Sports briefs: Wisconsin lands Jordan High QB Kafentzis

college football • Jordan High quarterback Austin Kafentzis has given a verbal commitment to play for Wisconsin and former Utah State coach Gary Andersen. Kafentzis, who led the Beetdiggers to a state championship last year as a sophomore, is in Madison for the Badgers' camp and gave his commitment Tuesday, according to his father, Jordan defensive coordinator Kyle Kafentzis.

"He just felt it was the right thing to do," Kyle Kafentzis said. "It was the right place for him." Kafentzis, the top quarterback recruit in the state, had received offers from Utah, BYU, Utah State and Hawaii. He participated in a camp last week at Boise State.

Last month, East High running back Ula Tolutau committed to Wisconsin.

Homicide police visit Hernandez

NFL • State and local police in North Attleborough, Mass., spent hours at the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday night as another group of officers searched an industrial park about a mile away where a body was discovered the day before.

Police at the scene and prosecutors would not comment on the actions while Sports Illustrated, citing an unidentified source, reported that Hernandez was not believed to be a suspect in what was being treated as a possible homicide. The magazine says police have spoken with Hernandez.

Sports Illustrated reports that the link between Hernandez and the case was a rented sport utility vehicle.

Pats' Gronkowski has back surgery

NFL • New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent back surgery Tuesday. The operation was successful, said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski's agent. On May 20, Gronkowski had his fourth surgery on the left forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point in a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He broke it again in the Patriots' first playoff game, a 41-28 win over the Houston Texans. Rosenhaus said the fourth surgery was expected to be the last on his forearm.

The Patriots open training camp in late July and start the regular season on Sept. 8 at Buffalo.

In 43 NFL games, Gronkowski has scored 39 touchdowns, 38 on passes and one on a run.

From wire reports

Venus Williams pulls out of Wimbledon

TENNIS • Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has pulled out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament because of a lower back injury. Williams' agent, Carlos Fleming, says Wimbledon was told of her decision Tuesday. Williams, who turned 33 on Monday, was bothered by her back during a first-round loss at the French Open last month, then cited that injury when she and her younger sister Serena withdrew from the doubles competition in Paris. The older Williams played at Wimbledon each of the last 16 years — never missing it since her debut in 1997. This year's tournament begins Monday.

• American qualifier Jamie Hampton upset top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6 (2), 6-2 Tuesday in the first round at Eastbourne, England.

From wire reports