Sports: Sports briefs

Sports briefs

By Compiled from Times wires

Heat gives Hardaway $12-million

Tim Hardaway has agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Heat, the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale reported Friday.

Hardaway, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, said the contract was being shipped to Australia overnight for him to sign.

"I'm happy to get it over with," said Hardaway, whose one-year deal was believed to be worth $12-million, making him the NBA's highest-paid point guard. "I'm happy to be staying with the Miami Heat. I want to end my career there."

Hardaway, 34, sought a multiyear deal earlier in negotiations, and last month, while practicing with the U.S. team, spoke out against the Heat's one-year offer.

"I made some people mad, and sometimes people make me mad," he said. "That's how it goes. But I'm not one of those people to hold my tongue. I'm going to say what I think."

With Hardaway having agreed to terms, the Miami appears set with its revitalized roster. Only Hardaway and center Alonzo Mourning figure to return from last season's starting lineup. They will be joined by forwards Brian Grant and Anthony Mason and shooting guard Eddie Jones, players acquired in two off-season trades.

Of that starting five, the biggest question mark is Hardaway, who has struggled through injuries the past two seasons, particularly hobbled in post-season losses to the New York Knicks.

MORE BASKETBALL: The Orlando Magic signed free-agent forward Ed O'Bannon, a former first-round draft pick. O'Bannon, 28, played with Athletico Boca Juniors in Argentina last season. The 6-foot-8, 203-pound O'Bannon has averaged 5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 128 career NBA games. He was selected ninth overall by New Jersey in the 1995 NBA draft after leading UCLA to that year's NCAA championship. Terms of the contract weren't disclosed. ... Michael Jordan wants the blame if the Wizards fail to finish .500 or better this season. "Judge me by what happened this season, not what happened last year because I didn't have my print on it," said Jordan, who became vice president of basketball operations in January. "Whatever happens after the season, I will take full accountability." The Wizards were 29-53 last season. Jordan said that he will trade, suspend or "recommend" benching players who fail to meet expectations. ... Arizona State's Justin Allen has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. School officials said the disease was detected early in the stage two phase and Allen was expected to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments next week. "I am confident ... I can be back on the court next year," said Allen, who will redshirt this season. ... The University at Buffalo reduced its men's scholarships by one for the 2001-02 season after the NCAA investigated improper workouts by recruits.

BOXING: The state of Michigan had good news for Mike Tyson fans. Although he might be on anti-depressant medication or just a generally unpleasant person, that won't KO his Oct. 20 fight against Andrew Golota in Detroit. "Would we expect to give him a license? Most likely," said Kathy Wilbur, director of the state department of consumer and industry services. "Our requirements for licensure are fairly limited. You pay a $35 fee, you fill out the form, you take the physical, and you've got a license." The state also will do a urinalysis the day of the fight. "We test for what you would think, which are addictive drugs, things like cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines," she said. "But not drugs like Zoloft."

SOCCER: The University of Hartford women defeated Florida 3-0 in the opening match of the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by the University of Virginia. The Gators (3-6) outshot the Hawks 19-10. ... Senior forward Marit Foss scored 41 seconds into the first half to lead the Jacksonville University women to their seventh straight victory, 5-0 against Georgia State. . . . South Florida extended its winning streak to three by beating Houston 2-1 in Tampa. Christina Gaudion of Brandon and Danielle Aldrich of Countryside scored for the Bulls.

HOCKEY: Shawn Walsh, the Maine coach fighting cancer, said he plans to don skates and oversee the Black Bears' first practice of the season Sunday. Walsh, 45, who has coached Maine to two national titles, had a cancerous kidney removed in July and is scheduled for a second cycle of immunal therapy in early October.

CROSS COUNTRY: University of Miami runners Shannon Sarabyn and Jeff Gaulrapp finished first at the Jacksonville Track Club Invitational. The UM women finished third out of eight schools; the men finished second out of nine. Sarabyn and Gaulrapp have won three consecutive races. The Florida International men and the Florida B team women were the overall winners.

VOLLEYBALL: South Florida defeated Tulane 15-12, 15-7, 15-7 at the Corral in Tampa. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bulls (8-4, 1-1 Conference USA). Michelle Collier led USF with 25 kills; Rachelle Paul had a .484 hitting percentage, Crissy Bush .429. ... A Boston teenager who said he was cut from the North Reading High School team because he is male filed a complaint with the Massachusetts education department. Pete Pappavaselio, 17, said he thinks he's as good as anyone on the varsity team, which is open to everyone, but always has been all girls. "Ability-wise, I think I'm comparable to anyone on the varsity," the 12th-grader said. He wasn't put on the junior varsity team, either. Athletic director Roy Condon said the 5-foot-10 Pappavaselio just wasn't good enough. "If he were 6-3 or 6-5 and could spike the ball, maybe you could find a place for him," Condon said. "But we're talking 5-10." Vicki Hill, who has coached the team for 25 years, said in Pappavaselio's tryout performance it was "obvious that this was his first attempt at volleyball."

SKIING: World Cup moguls champion Ann Battelle had surgery to repair a broken shoulder socket and is expected to be off skis for about two months. Battelle, injured while training in Mount Hood, Ore., had surgery Sept. 12 in Vail, Colo. The 32-year-old has competed in three Olympics and won the World Cup moguls title the past two seasons. Battelle's arm will be in a sling at her Sept. 30 wedding.