Newsmakers

Announced Butler 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Gordon Hayward announced he would enter the NBA draft while retaining his option of returning to the school he nearly led to a national championship. Hayward has until May 8 to with- draw his name from the draft.

•Purdue announced that center JaJuan Johnson and guard E’Twaun Moore will enter the NBA draft. They aren’t hiring agents, though, so they have until May 8 to withdraw their names and return for their senior seasons.

Donated Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has formed “The Dwight Howard Fund” for at-risk children around the world, beginning with a $100,000 donation for young earthquake victims in Haiti.

Promoted The St. Louis Blues promoted interim coach Davis Payne to head coach. Payne, 39, had been the Blues’ interim coach since Jan. 2, when he replaced Andy Murray.

•Wright State promoted longtime assistant Billy Donlon to head coach. one day after losing Brad Brownell to Clemson.

Fired The Atlanta Thrashers fired coach John Anderson and promoted associate general manager Rick Dudley to replace GM Don Waddell, who was bumped upstairs to team president.

Awarded Ultra marathoner and amputee Amy Palmiero-Winters has won the New York Athletic Club’s Sullivan Award as America’s top amateur athlete. Traded The Tulsa Shock of the WNBA have acquired 3-point specialist Shanna Crossley from the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for reserve forward Crystal Kelly.

Retired Detroit Lions TE Casey FitzSimmons, 29, who went from playing 8-man high school football in Montana to a seven-season NFL career, announced his retirement.

Signed Marquette coach Buzz Williams announced the signing of junior college player of the year Jae Crowder to a national letter of intent. Crowder averaged 18.9 points to help Howard College (Texas) win its first men’s basketball title.