Newsmakers

Signed Center Greg Stiemsma signed with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. The deal was done Thursday. Stiemsma joined the Celtics last season and appeared in 55 games, averaging 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

• The New York Islanders signed first-round pick Griffin Reinhart to a three-year, entry-level NHL contract. The 6-foot-4, 202-pound defenseman was selected fourth overall in the June draft. He had 12 goals and 24 assists in 58 games last season for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League.

Fired The Arkansas State Police fired a trooper accused of illegally confiscating a gun and dumping marijuana found during a traffic stop involving former Auburn running back Michael Dyer, a former MVP of the national championship game who is now without a team. A termination letter from state police commander Col. J.R. Howard released listed several actions by Cpl. Royce Denney during the March 10 traffic stop that suggested he was “unable to conform to the standards of professionalism.”

Reported Georgia offensive tackle Kolton Houston remains ineligible because he continues to test positive for an anabolic steroid he was given for shoulder surgery more than two years ago.

Pleaded A suspended University of Montana linebacker pleaded “no contest” to negligent endangerment for a February crash in which he rolled his pickup truck. Brian Maus of Missoula was given a one-year deferred sentence Wednesday, ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and a substance abuse course. Arrested Former NBA guard and Kentucky assistant coach Rod Strickland was arrested near the Kentucky campus and charged with driving on a DUI suspended license.

Died A 19-year-old Robert Morris University soccer player has died after collapsing during practice. The Cook County medical examiner’s office says Jesus Lupian of Des Plaines, Ill., collapsed on the field at the University of Illinois in Chicago on Wednesday evening.