Dumars elected to Hall

Joe Dumars, a steady presence on two NBA championship teams during a 14-year career with the Detroit Pistons, has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, a basketball official told the Associated Press on Saturday.

The official, who had knowledge of the decision, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement was scheduled for Monday.

Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma also was elected to the hall in his first year of eligibility, according to a basketball official with firsthand knowledge of the voting process. Other reports claim former NBA stars Dominique Wilkins and Charles Barkley will also be inducted.

Dumars, elected in his second year of eligibility, won two NBA championships as a shooting guard with the Pistons, and another title in 2004 as their president of basketball operations. He was MVP of the 1989 NBA Finals, and helped Detroit repeat the following season.

Since arriving 21 years ago, Auriemma has turned Connecticut from a small regional program into a national powerhouse and led the Huskies to five NCAA women’s titles. Their five straight trips to the Final Four from 2000-04 is a record.

This year’s Hall of Fame class will be enshrined Sept. 9 in Springfield, Mass.

Shaq still ails

Shaquille O’Neal missed the Miami Heat’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, his second straight because of a hyperextended left knee.

Heat coach Pat Riley said O’Neal still has irritation in the knee. O’Neal believes he hurt it when he was kicked in Miami’s win over Indiana on Monday.

Around the league

The Charlotte Bobcats waived guard Kareem Rush, who began the season as the team’s starting shooting guard. … Jalen Rose (foot, knee) is out and Stephon Marbury (knee) is doubtful when the New York Knicks complete a home-and-home series at Philadelphia tonight.