Milwaukee – Yi Jianlian, the sixth overall selection in the NBA draft in June, signed a multiyear contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
“Today’s agreement means I finally, formally enter the door of the NBA,” Yi said in Chinese to the media contingent at the signing in Hong Kong. “This will be a great challenge for me.”
The forward had been reluctant to sign with Milwaukee. His agent, Dan Fegan, had pushed for a trade to a city with a large Asian influence – or at least a larger city.
Last season, Yi, 19, posted career-high averages with 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for the Guangdong Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.
NBA
Nuggets waive guard Anthony Carter
The Nuggets waived guard Anthony Carter, who played in just two games last season and scored eight points in one playoff appearance against the San Antonio Spurs.
During his eight-year NBA career, Carter has averaged 4.7 points, 3.7 assists and two rebounds in 364 games.
Ruben Patterson, a former Nuggets forward who averaged a career-high 14.7 points with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. No terms were announced.
The Charlotte Bobcats re-signed point guard Jeff McInnis, agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Florida loses captain Trautwein to injury
No. 6 Florida will be without left tackle Phil Trautwein for Saturday’s season opener against Western Kentucky, and he might be out for the season. Trautwein, a senior captain who started every game for the national champions last season, has a stress fracture in his right foot that could require season-ending surgery.
Also, freshman running back Bo Williams will be out six weeks because of a dislocated ankle.
Tailback Allen Patrick (sprained ankle) went through about half of Oklahoma’s practice and might be able to start Saturday against North Texas.
Quarterback Kyle Reed will transfer from No. 12 California after losing the competition to be Nate Longshore’s backup this season. Reed, a redshirt sophomore, already has contacted San Jose State about joining its program, a school spokesman said.
Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge has a broken pinkie on his throwing hand, but is expected to play Saturday at No. 12 California.
Alabama nose guard Brian Motley broke his left ankle and will miss six to eight weeks.
TRACK AND FIELD
Lagat wins world 1,500 title for U.S.
Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat won the 1,500-meters gold medal in Osaka, Japan, representing the United States in a world championships final for the first time.
“This is a dream come true,” the 32-year-old runner said. “I’m a champion for the United States of America.”
The Athens Olympics silver medalist ran wide coming off the last bend and passed the leaders to finish in 3 minutes, 34.77 seconds. Moroccan-born Rashid Ramzi of Bah- rain, the defending champion, took silver in 3:35.00 and Shedrack Kebit Korir of Kenya took bronze in 3:35.04. Alan Webb of the United States, the year’s top performer, led after the first lap but faded to finish eighth in 3:35.69.
“Just a colossal breakdown,” Webb said.
Lagat’s triumph and defending champion Michelle Perry’s close victory over Canadian Perdita Felicien in the 100-meter hurdles gave the United States 10 medals, five of them gold, at the championships.
FOOTNOTES
Duke lacrosse players get fifth season
Four Duke men’s lacrosse players, including national player of the year Matt Danowski, will return for a fifth season granted by the NCAA to restore a year lost amid rape allegations that led to false charges against three former teammates. Goaltender Dan Loftus and defensemen Tony McDevitt and Nick O’Hara will join Danowski for the 2008 season.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham left in the 30th minute of the SuperLiga final against Pachuca after straining his right knee when he fell in Carson, Calif.
Matias Mantilla scored just 40 seconds into the game and Real Salt Lake went on to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Kansas City Wizards.
Robert Mitchell, a 6-foot-6 forward who was the Atlantic 10 rookie of the year last season, has left Duquesne University’s basketball team and plans to transfer to another school.
Cuba won’t send a boxing team to the world championships that begin Oct. 21 in Chicago, heeding Fidel Castro’s fears about future defections after two fighters abandoned their teammates during the Pan American Games.
