NBA
Hornets’ Hairston to appear in court on assault charges
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte Hornets rookie and former North Carolina star guard P.J. Hairston has to appear in Durham County Court on misdemeanor charges of assault and battery following an altercation during a pickup basketball game.
Paul Sherwin, public information officer for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, says Hairston was issued a summons Monday but will not be arrested.
Hairston’s court date is Aug. 8.
Kentrell Barkley, a 6-5, 190-pound 17-year-old rising senior at North Durham High School, says in court documents Hairston “punched him twice in the head” during a heated basketball game Sunday at the Durham YMCA.
The Hornets say they’re looking into the matter.
Heat ink two free-agents; neither are in the “Big 3”
MIAMI – While waiting for LeBron James, the Miami Heat apparently are giving him some more options to think about.
The Heat announced Monday that they intend to sign forwards Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts when the NBA’s moratorium on deals being formally struck ends later this week.
Granger has agreed to sign a two-year deal with an option for the second of those seasons. McRoberts agreed to a four-year contract, the last year also being an option, in a deal that could be worth about $23 million.
Yahoo Sports reported that Granger would receive a deal worth about $2 million annually. McRoberts’ agent, Mike Conley Sr., said his client would get the full mid-level exception starting at about $5.3 million next season.
Contracts begin getting signed Thursday.
NFL
Lawyers: Judge approves NFL concussion lawsuit settlement
PHILADELPHIA – A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a deal that would compensate former NFL players for concussion-related claims.
Attorneys Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss said in a statement that Monday’s decision represents “an extraordinary settlement” for the plaintiffs.
The NFL last month agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages after U.S. District Judge Anita Brody questioned whether there would be enough money to pay all claims.
The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.
Prosecutors don’t oppose the Aaron Hernandez jail transfer
BOSTON – Prosecutors are not opposing a request to move former Patriots player Aaron Hernandez to a jail closer to his Boston attorneys.
But they are firing back at claims from Hernandez’s attorneys that the former tight end’s privacy and due process rights were violated by the jail administrator.
Hernandez is in a jail in Bristol County in southern Massachusetts, where he is charged in the 2013 shooting of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. His lawyers want him moved to a jail closer to Boston, where Hernandez is charged in the 2012 killings of two men. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
Swimmming
Lochte, Phelps will reignite their aquatic rivalry in Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. – Michael Phelps will take another step in his comeback, and Ryan Lochte will test out his surgically repaired knee during a special meet at the University of Georgia this week.
The Bulldog Grand Slam will feature some of the top teams in the country, including Phelps’ North Baltimore Aquatic Club and Lochte’s SwimMAC Carolina squad based in Charlotte.
Phelps, the winningest athlete in Olympic history, will be competing for the fourth time since coming out of retirement. He is scheduled to race in the 100-meter butterfly Friday, the 100 backstroke Saturday and the 100 freestyle Sunday.
The four-day event begins Thursday.
Associated Press
