In brief: Houston attempts comeback with Knicks
Allan Houston is rejoining the New York Knicks, two years after knee pain forced him to walk away.
The Knicks re-signed their former star guard Wednesday and expect him to begin his attempt to make the team at practice Friday.
Once one of the NBA’s best outside shooters, Houston retired two years ago this month after chronic knee pain limited him to 70 games over the previous two seasons. Now at age 36, he’s trying to make it back with the team he led to an improbable berth in the 1999 NBA finals.
“Washington Wizards center Etan Thomas will undergo open heart surgery today to repair a leak of the aortic valve, a procedure that requires months of recovery time but might not mean the end of his NBA career.
“Seattle guard Luke Ridnour broke his nose in the SuperSonics’ preseason opener and will have to wear a mask for at least the next month.
“Charlotte Bobcats forward Sean May is facing six to 12 months of rehabilitation after microfracture surgery on his right knee this week.
Football
Marketer cooperates
A sports marketer will give NCAA investigators financial records and other evidence linking Reggie Bush and his family to nearly $280,000 in benefits while he was enrolled at Southern California, according to a report.
Lloyd Lake, who allegedly provided improper benefits to Bush in 2005, has agreed to meet with NCAA officials and give them evidence to help their investigation, Yahoo! Sports reported on its Web site, citing two unidentified sources.
“Oregon State receiver and punt returner Sammie Stroughter will not return this season because of a bruised kidney, and the Beavers plan to seek a medical redshirt for him.
“Tri-Cities Fever coach Tony Wells was charged Tuesday with being a fugitive from justice. The charges stem from outstanding warrants from Florida and Kentucky. The af2 coach claims the charges are “bogus” saying he had no knowledge of the warrants prior to his arrest Sunday in Kennewick.
Miscellany
Ramage found guilty
Former NHL player Rob Ramage was found guilty in Newmarket, Ontario, of impaired driving causing death and four other charges in connection with a wreck that killed former Chicago Blackhawks star Keith Magnuson.
Magnuson died Dec. 15, 2003, when a rental car driven by Ramage slammed head-on into another vehicle in Woodbridge. Magnuson was 56.
The 48-year-old Ramage is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 17.
“Maria Sharapova, playing in Moscow for only the third time, lost to teenager Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (9), 6-2 in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
“Hope Solo, whose remarks critical of coach Greg Ryan got her dismissed from the U.S. team at the Women’s World Cup, is on the roster for a three-game series with Mexico.
“The first two rounds of the Masters are moving to ESPN.
USA had aired the first two rounds since 1982.
Mike Tirico will host the ESPN telecasts.
The 2008 Masters will be April 10-13.