Newsmakers

Hired Florida International University hired former NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas to be its men’s head basketball coach Tuesday morning. Thomas signed a five-year contract to take over as Golden Panthers coach. Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was reassigned within the athletic department. Thomas last coached the New York Knicks for the 2007-08 season when he went 23-59 and was fired.

•Top assistant Chris Mack will succeed Sean Miller as Xavier’s head men’s basketball coach, a university spokesman said. Miller left last week to take the head coaching job at Arizona.

•Fresh from leading unbeaten UConn to the NCAA title, Geno Auriemma is set to become coach of the U.S. women’s basketball team through the 2012 Olympics. Auriemma will serve as head coach for the next three years. A news conference is scheduled for today.

•Flip Saunders has agreed to become the new coach of the Washington Wizards, with an announcement expected next week. Saunders will succeed interim coach Ed Tapscott.

Signed Missouri coach Mike Anderson has signed a seven-year deal to remain at the helm of the Tigers’ men’s team. The third-year coach led the Tigers to a school-record 31 wins and ended a five-year NCAA tournament drought.

•The Los Angeles Sparks have signed nine-year WNBA veteran guard Betty Lennox. Lennox was the leading scorer on the Atlanta Dream last season before being waived.

Leaving DePaul scoring leader Dar Tucker plans to enter the NBA draft and hire an agent. The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard averaged 18.5 points and five rebounds this past season.