Police say gunshot killed ex-NBA player
Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in the woods outside Memphis, was shot to death and the case is being investigated as a homicide, police said Thursday.
Family members had said Wednesday that police told them Wright's body had been found near an apartment complex. Police delayed confirmation, awaiting an autopsy that confirmed the identity based on dental records, authorities said in a statement. The Shelby County medical examiner's office reported that Wright died of a gunshot wound, police said.
Wright, 34, a Memphis native who played with five teams during a 13-year NBA career that ended last season, was last seen around midnight July 18. (AP)
NCAA adds to Arizona's sanctions — The NCAA has placed the University of Arizona men's basketball program on two years' probation and vacated 19 wins from the 2007-08 season for violations involving Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson.
The NCAA upheld numerous self-imposed sanctions by the school, but took away an additional scholarship in 2012-13 and vacated wins in games played by two players deemed ineligible. The NCAA also reduced more recruiting visits than the school had initially proposed for the next two school years.
The sanctions stem from Olson's involvement with a booster club and promotion of an AAU tournament. The NCAA did not reprimand Olson because he retired in 2008 and had suffered a stroke. (AP)
Pitino testifies he tried to keep tryst quiet — Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino finished testifying in the extortion case of a woman who demanded millions from him after a sexual encounter, telling a jury he didn't immediately report threatening phone calls because he didn't want his family to find out about the June 2003 affair.
He and the attorney for Karen Cunagin Sypher, who is charged with extortion, had multiple heated exchanges during two hours of questioning Thursday. Sypher has pleaded not guilty, saying Pitino sexually assaulted her. (AP)
Lookin At Lucky favorite in Haskell — Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky has drawn the No. 1 post and is the 5-2 favorite in a field of eight entered for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.
Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver is the co-second choice at 3-1 in the first race for both 3-year-olds since Lookin At Lucky won the Preakness in May with Super Saver finishing eighth. Trappe Shot also is 3-1. (AP)
Niemi decision expected Saturday — Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman expects to learn on Saturday whether his salary cap-squeezed team will be able to keep restricted free-agent goaltender Antti Niemi, who backstopped Chicago to its first Stanley Cup in 49 years while earning $826,875 as a rookie last season.
Niemi's case advanced to an arbitration hearing Thursday. The arbitrator can choose either side's one-year offer or any amount between the two. The Blackhawks can then accept or reject the decision. (AP)
Thrashers sign Ladd — The Atlanta Thrashers avoided arbitration with restricted free-agent forward Andrew Ladd by signing him to a one-year, $2.35 million deal. (AP)
