Newsmakers

Denied The NCAA on Friday denied an appeal to shorten suspensions for North Carolina cornerback Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams. Burney was suspended six games and Williams four for receiving improper benefits connected to several trips, including to California to visit a former UNC football player.

Reduced Syracuse running back Delone Carter had a misdemeanor assault charge against him reduced. Carter pleaded guilty in Syracuse, N.Y., city court to harassment and admitted he punched a Syracuse University student during an on-campus altercation in February. Judge Langston McKinney granted Carter a one-year conditional discharge, meaning the case will stay open for 12 months. If Carter stays out of trouble, it will be closed, attorney Kim Zimmer said.

Died North Texas freshman wide receiver Josh Rake died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident on Thursday in Denton, Texas. North Texas will wear helmets with stickers honoring Rake in its game against Louisiana-Lafayette tonight.

Sidelined Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter must sit out all basketball team activities until the NCAA determines his amateur status. The 6-foot-11 Kanter played on a club team in Turkey in 2008-09. The NCAA is reviewing whether Kanter received any extraordinary benefits during his time with the team, which would be a violation of the NCAA’s amateur policy.

Exercised The Orlando Magic announced they are exercising their option on Ryan Anderson’s contract that will keep him in Orlando through next season. Anderson was traded from New Jersey last year in the NBA deal that brought Vince Carter to the Magic.

Cleared Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has been cleared of allegations that he broke Ontario securities law while CEO of drugmaker Biovail Corp. An Ontario Securities Commission tribunal in Toronto ruled that OSC staff hadn’t proven Melnyk broke the law, but his conduct was “contrary to the public interest.” It’s a non-criminal infraction under the province’s securities laws.

Retired Pesky forward Darcy Tucker is retiring after 15 seasons in the NHL. Tucker played seven-plus seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he established himself as one of the best agitators in the game. He spent the final two years of his career with the Colorado Avalanche.