HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets signed Dikembe Mutombo to a one-year contract Monday, extending the 41-year-old center’s NBA career into a 16th season.
“I’m going to enjoy every second and every minute of my last year in the NBA,” he said. “I hope my farewell tour will be a nice memorable one.”
Mutombo, selected in the first round — fourth overall — by the Nuggets in the 1991 draft, ended up playing a pivotal role for Houston last season, when Yao Ming broke a bone in his right leg and missed 33 games. Mutombo started in his place and averaged five points, 10 rebounds and 1.45 blocks.
Jury leaning against Thomas
New York – A jury indicated it believes New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden committed sexual harassment against former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders.
There was no official verdict, but the wording of a note to the judge by jurors makes it clear they have reached decisions on eight of nine questions on the jury form of the $10 million lawsuit. The judge sent the jury home for the day, asking the panel to deliberate today on the deadlocked question.
ESPN: Schoeneweis received steroids
New York – New York Mets relief pitcher Scott Schoeneweis received six shipments of steroids in 2003 and 2004 from a Florida pharmacy under investigation for illegal distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, reported.
Schoeneweis, a survivor of testicular cancer, spent $1,160 and received testosterone and stanozolol, the website said.
Lidge undergoes knee surgery
Houston – Houston Astros closer Brad Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. The Astros said the former Cherry Creek High School athlete should be ready for the start of spring training in mid-February.
Ralf Schumacher leaving Toyota
Stuttgart, germany Ralf Schumacher will leave Toyota’s Formula One team at the end of the season.
“After three years with Toyota, I’ve decided to look for a new challenge,” Schumacher wrote on his website. “I’ll be having some talks in the next few weeks and then announce my decision.”
Group hopes to save Rosenblatt
Omaha – A group working to keep the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium sent petitions with 14,000 signatures to the NCAA, hoping to convince officials that renovating Rosenblatt is a better alternative to building a new ballpark.
The group, called Save Rosenblatt, says it is working on a plan that it hopes to submit to the NCAA soon. But the president of the local organizing body for the event — which would have to submit the plan — criticized the petition and would not say whether CWS Inc. would forward the group’s proposal.
