Starting forward Kalen Grimes was dismissed by Missouri on Tuesday, a week after the Tigers’ leading rebounder was charged with second-degree felony assault for allegedly hitting a man in the face with the butt end of a loaded shotgun.
“This is an unfortunate situation and one that I know he regrets, but it is in the best interest of Kalen and our program to move forward with this decision,” coach Mike Anderson said. “Although we have dismissed Kalen from our program, we will continue to help him through this difficult time.”
Grimes, a 6-foot-9 senior, started 24 games last season. He averaged seven points and 5.6 rebounds.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Duke’s Nelson undergoes wrist surgery
Duke guard DeMarcus Nelson will be sidelined at least six weeks after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left wrist. Nelson, a senior, was the Blue Devils’ leading scorer and second-leading rebounder last season, when he averaged 14 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Arkansas-Little Rock junior guard Buddy Harding is ending his playing days because of arthritis in both hips.
BASKETBALL
U.S. team heads to minicamp
Kobe Bryant headlines the list of 17 players who are expected to report for U.S. national team minicamp this weekend in Las Vegas.
The three-day camp on the campus of UNLV will be used to select the finalists for next month’s FIBA Americas tournament, the regional qualifier for the 2008 Olympics. The roster must be trimmed to 12 players before the tournament starts Aug. 22.
Bryant, the league’s scoring champion, had knee surgery last summer and was unable to play in the world championships, where the Americans finished third.
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Shane Battier and Kirk Hinrich are the only players from that team scheduled to take part this weekend.
They will be joined by Chauncey Billups, Amare Stoudemire and Michael Redd, who were all members of the program last summer but unable to participate. Kevin Durant, Jason Kidd, Mike Miller, Tyson Chandler, Tayshaun Prince, J.J. Redick and Deron Williams will also attend.
Yi Jianlian, the sixth player taken in June’s NBA draft, has no plans to play for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Chen Haitao, owner of the Guangdong Tigers – Yi’s former team – said the 6-foot-11 power forward will “definitely not” sign with Milwaukee and could be headed back to the Chinese Basketball Association.
TENNIS
Davenport mulling comeback
Three-time major champion Lindsay Davenport is considering a comeback after being off the pro tour since the end of last year while awaiting the birth of her first child.
“I hope so,” she said. “I haven’t made any final decisions. It’s a small goal I’m working towards.”
A comeback is alluring in part because Davenport would like to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics. Davenport gave birth via Caesarean section to son Jagger on June 10 – two days after her 31st birthday.
FOOTNOTES
Arkansas assistant Nutt resigning
Arkansas running backs coach Danny Nutt is resigning because of a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem. Nutt, 46, is the younger brother of head coach Houston Nutt.
Doctors implanted a stent to relieve a blocked artery in the heart of Weber State football coach Ron McBride.
Katie Douglas scored 15 of her 22 points in the second half to lead the Connecticut Sun to an 84-79 victory over the visiting Minnesota Lynx in WNBA play.
Penny Taylor scored 32 points to lead the host Phoenix Mercury to an 89-79 victory over the Seattle Storm.
