Miami — Michael Beasley told his personal manager several days ago that he was working out in Houston because it brought “a change of scenery” from Miami and Washington.

What happened next is apparently a mystery, even to those who know Beasley best.

The Miami Heat forward checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation told the Associated Press on Monday. Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley’s treatment revolved around some stress-related issues, and both declined to say if Beasley was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.

“Based on what I’m getting right now, there’s a bit of concern,” Bruce Shingler, Beasley’s manager, told the AP in a telephone interview. “I don’t really know what’s going on. I just know his mom is on her way to go see him in Houston. That’s it. I’m still collecting a lot of information.”

It’s unknown how long Beasley will remain at the facility, or whether he will be available when the Heat open training camp on Sept. 28.

Shingler also said he wasn’t sure how long Beasley has been in Houston, or specifically why that was his destination.

“From what I know, he was just getting ready for the upcoming season,” Shingler said. “The last time I talked to him, everything was going well. All this rehab and all that, I was totally unaware. It all started as he wanted to go work out in a different place because he wanted to get away. Now this, I don’t know what’s going on.”

The saga started in earnest Friday, when a photo of the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft was posted to his Twitter account, in which Beasley displayed a new tattoo across his shoulders. The image also captured what appeared to be a small plastic bag on an adjacent table, the contents of which were unclear.

Beasley was already getting treatment when the photograph — and several comments, including “Feelin like it’s not worth livin!!!!!!! I’m done” and “I feel like the whole world is against me I can’t win for losin” — were posted on the feed.

Beasley’s account has since been closed.

NBA

Nowitzki’s ex gets 5 years

St. Charles, Mo. — A former girlfriend of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for violating probation.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Cristal Taylor admitted in court Monday that she failed to check in with her probation officer in a 12-year-old forgery and theft case. She also acknowledged being arrested twice in Texas in 2000 for misdemeanors.

NFL

Ravens top Jets, 24-23

Baltimore — It didn’t take long for Mark Sanchez to find out what New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan already knew: The Baltimore Ravens have a wickedly efficient defense.

Vying to become the Jets starting quarterback, Sanchez got off to a wretched start and finished with a flourish in a 24-23 preseason loss Monday night.

Sanchez’s first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. His second pass was nearly picked off. On his final play, however, the rookie threw his first NFL touchdown pass — a 19-yarder to running back Leon Washington with 5:50 left in the second quarter.

Rivers signs monster deal

San Diego — Philip Rivers got his big-money contract extension. Now all he needs to do to keep up with Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger is to win the Super Bowl.

Rivers signed a six-year contract extension Monday with the San Diego Chargers worth $93 million, with $38 million guaranteed. The deal goes through 2015.

Burress interview released

Plaxico Burress alleged in a television interview that security staff knew he was carrying a gun upon entering a Manhattan nightclub where he later accidentally shot himself in the thigh.

In an excerpt of an ESPN interview broadcast Monday night, Burress says his .40-caliber Glock fired after he missed walking up a step. The gun began to slide down his pant leg, and Burress said he accidentally pulled the trigger through his pants when he tried to stop the gun from hitting the ground.

The full interview will be broadcast tonight.

Hill named starting QB

San Francisco — Shaun Hill is going to start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers’ season opener at Arizona on Sept. 13, beating out Alex Smith, coach Mike Singletary announced Monday.

College football

Collins convicted of murder

Omaha, Neb. — Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins was convicted Monday of first-degree murder and other charges stemming from a September 2008 shooting in Omaha that left one man dead and another seriously wounded.

The Douglas County jury also found the former Cornhuskers player guilty of attempted second-degree murder, felony assault and two weapons counts.

The 29-year-old faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction. He faces up to 170 years on the other counts, said Deputy County Attorney John Alagaban. Sentencing is set for Nov. 12.

As Collins left the courtroom, he yelled at the jury of six men and six women, “Are you happy? Are you happy? You know I didn’t kill anyone!”

Collins was arrested last September within a day of an Omaha shooting that left 38-year-old Timothy Thomas dead and another California man, Marshall Turner, seriously wounded.

Prosecutors said the shooting stemmed from a botched drug deal in which Collins masterminded a plan to rob the men.

Collins’ attorney, Steve Lefler, argued that prosecution witnesses were lying. Lefler did not immediately respond to a phone message left Monday seeking comment.

Balogun hearing postponed

Norman, Okla. — Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun will try to settle his eligibility issues out of court.

A Cleveland County judge had been set to hear arguments Monday on whether to allow Balogun to play for the Sooners, but NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said the hearing “was postponed to allow for the existing eligibility certification process to be completed by the NCAA Eligibility Center.”

At issue is whether Balogun played for a semipro football team after he turned 21. If he did, he stands to lose one year of college eligibility for each corresponding year that he played semipro ball.

Boxing

Mayweather’s car searched

Las Vegas — Police searched boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s Rolls-Royce at his home Monday in the investigation of a shooting outside a Las Vegas ice skating rink, authorities said.

No one was hurt, but another vehicle was hit with bullets between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Pacific on Sunday outside the Crystal Palace Skating Center, police Lt. Patrick Charoen said.

Officer Bill Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman, said it was not immediately clear whether Mayweather was present during the shooting at the skating center.

Golf

Woods tops Villegas

Verona, N.Y. — Tiger Woods won Monday’s Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge, edging defending champion Camilo Villegas at Turning Stone Resort’s Atunyote Golf Club.

After Villegas won $180,000 with a birdie at the 14th hole on Monday in the skins game format, Woods won the next three holes to finish with $230,000 to Villegas’ $200,000.

MLB

Rockies, Giambi agree

Denver — The Colorado Rockies have signed former AL MVP Jason Giambi to a minor-league contract.

The 38-year-old Giambi will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping for a call-up to help the Rockies with their pennant push.

Wagner wants to close

New York — Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of which team he’s on.

That’s why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade this week to the Red Sox, who already have an All-Star closer in Jonathan Papelbon.

Wagner confirmed Monday that Boston placed a waiver claim on him last Friday. The Mets have until today to trade him to the Red Sox, pull him back off waivers or assign him to Boston for nothing in return.