In brief: Complicated Anthony trade falls through

Men’s basketball: A four-way deal that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey is “dead,” a person with knowledge of the discussions said Tuesday.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the trade.

Anthony took the court with his Nuggets teammates on the first day of training camp Tuesday. But his days in Denver could very well be numbered even after the four-team deal that also would have included Charlotte and Utah collapsed.

The Nuggets could still listen to offers.

Anthony said after practice that the basketball court has become his “safe haven,” a place where he doesn’t have to “deal with all the other stuff.”

“Every time I get in the gym my mind just focuses on working out, getting better, not thinking about too much,” Anthony said.

Following the more than two-hour workout, Nuggets coach George Karl gave Anthony an “A” for his effort, saying he thought his star was “very professional, very mature.”

Karl remains hopeful that Anthony will stick around.

Anthony has yet to sign off on a three-year, $65 million extension that’s been on the table since June, leading the Nuggets to explore trade options. The potential deal involving the New Jersey Nets hit a road block over the weekend and then withered Tuesday.

Karl made his return to practice Tuesday after missing the end of last season while undergoing treatment for throat and neck cancer. His voice still raspy, Karl carried around a whistle to get the attention of his players. But he only used it in a joking manner.

Fowles leads U.S. over Belarus

Women’s basketball: Sylvia Fowles scored 15 points and Diana Taurasi added 14 to help the unbeaten United States rout Belarus 107-61 at the women’s basketball world championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Candice Dupree scored 12 and Swin Cash 11 as the U.S. shot 68 percent.

The Americans will play rival Australia tonight in the final game of the second round.

Dantonio to coach Spartans Saturday

College Football: Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio plans to coach his team from the coaching box Saturday when the No. 24 Spartans host No. 11 Wisconsin, two weeks after he was hospitalized following a mild heart attack.

“I’m going to ease back into this much like anybody would after any injury,” Dantonio said at the team’s weekly news conference.

• Ducks extend Kelly: The University of Oregon and coach Chip Kelly agreed to a contract extension through 2015 worth $20.5 million.

The university says the new contract will pay Kelly $2.4 million in addition to incentives tied to performance this year.

• South Carolina sticks with Garcia: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said that quarterback Stephen Garcia will start on Oct. 9 when the No. 20 Gamecocks play No. 1 Alabama.

• Houston QB undecided on future: Houston senior quarterback Case Keenum will undergo knee surgery today to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he’s putting off any decisions about his future beyond that. He hasn’t ruled out trying to play one more season with the Cougars by asking the NCAA for a medical exemption. Or, he could turn his sights on the NFL.

No further actions in Bledsoe inquiry

Miscellany: The NCAA “plans no further action” regarding an investigation into the eligibility of former Kentucky men’s basketball guard Eric Bledsoe.

NCAA spokesman Chuck Wynne said in an e-mail the “initial-eligibility decision stands” after school district officials in Birmingham, Ala., decided to allow Bledsoe to keep a grade that helped make him eligible.

• Former MSU star pleads guilty: Former Michigan State basketball star Jay Vincent pleaded guilty to two crimes linked to a $2 million Internet scam, a stunning fall for a homegrown sports hero who also played in the NBA.

Vincent, 51, pleaded guilty to a fraud charge and a tax charge in federal court in Grand Rapids, Mich., just six weeks after he was indicted.

• 1998 Derby, Preakness winner dies: Real Quiet, winner of the 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness and coming within a nose of the Triple Crown, died on Monday following a fall in his paddock, said Penn Ridge Farms owner Mike Jester. He was 15.