Newsmakers

Honored Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings was named the WNBA’s defensive player of the year for the third time. Catchings won in a landslide with 34 votes Friday. Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker and Atlanta Dream center Erika de Souza both received two votes and two other players got a single vote.

Released Binghamton (N.Y.) University released five more basketball players a day after star player Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben was arraigned on drug charges and kicked off the team. Coach Kevin Broadus announced that D.J. Rivera, Malik Alvin, Corey Chandler, Paul Crosby and David Fine were released. No reason was given.

Signed The New York Knicks re-signed restricted free agent Nate Robinson. The Knicks didn’t disclose terms. Robinson’s 17.2 points per game were a career high. He finished third in the voting for the Sixth Man Award and also won his second slam dunk competition.

•The New Jersey Devils signed veteran center Rob Niedermayer to a one-year contract. The 34-year-old Niedermayer is entering his 16th NHL season. He had 14 goals in 79 games with Anaheim last season. He has 171 career goals.

Extended The Indiana Pacers signed coach Jim O’Brien through the 2010-11 season. O’Brien initially signed a three-year deal in 2007, with an option for a fourth year.

Pleaded A convicted murderer pleaded guilty in Nashville, Tenn., to selling the gun that was used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair. Federal court documents show that Adrian Gilliam of La Vergne, Tenn., admitted that he sold a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol to McNair’s mistress for $100. Meanwhile, McNair’s two oldest sons have gone to court seeking their share of his estate. Steven L. McNair Jr. and Steven O’Bryan McNair filed their separate claims Thursday in Davidson County Circuit Court in Nashville.

Withdraws Top-ranked Roger Federer withdrew from the Japan Open and Shanghai ATP Masters 1000, citing the need to rest after a physically challenging year. The Japan Tennis Association said Federer was withdrawing from the Oct. 5-11 Japan Open, along with the Shanghai tournament the following week.