Red-hot college basketball rivalries for the 2009 season
When it comes to red-hot rivalries for the 2009 season, Tobacco Road takes a back seat to Kentucky and Louisville.

United States beats France, reaches second round at FIBA U19 worlds
Seth Curry scored 12 points and the United States advanced to the second round of the FIBA under-19 world junior basketball championships with a 71-55 win over France on Friday.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish fill assistant coach vacancy with Martin Ingelsby
Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey has promoted Martin Ingelsby to assistant coach, filling the vacancy created when nine-year associate head coach Sean Kearney was hired as head coach at Holy Cross.

Taylor, Curry lead squad to win in FIBA opener
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States started its bid for its first world junior title in 18 years with a 106-55 win over Iran on the opening day of the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships on Thursday.

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Louisville to face UConn and Syracuse twice
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville will have its hands full trying to defend its Big East title.

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Luke Winn: Q&A with Washington State’s Klay Thompson
Klay Thomspon flourished at WSU. Now he’s doing so in New Zealand. The sophomore chats with Luke Winn about his father, his future and more.

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Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney hired as Holy Cross head coach
Holy Cross will name Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney as its next men’s basketball coach, with an official announcement coming Thursday.

Obama says Kobe is no match for Jordan

President gives his opinion about who greatest NBA player is

Jackson says he’ll return for another Lakers run

Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Rotoworld: Local papers covering NBA teams

Vote: Will Artest be a distraction to Lakers?

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Son of Northridge coach given probation (AP)
The son of the head basketball coach at Cal State-Northridge has been sentenced to probation and community service after pleading no contest to charges of stealing from the Best Buy store where he worked. Jeffrey Braswell, the son of coach Bobby Braswell, pleaded no contest Thursday in San Fernando Superior Court to five felony counts.

Irish’s Kearney named Holy Cross coach (AP)
Sean Kearney is the new basketball coach at Holy Cross. The former Notre Dame assistant was named Thursday to succeed Ralph Willard, who resigned last month after 10 seasons to become Rick Pitino's associate head coach at Louisville. Kearney, 49, spent the last nine seasons as Mike Brey's associate head coach, serving as national recruiting coordinator.

Knicks to offer more than one year

Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd .

Gordon: Bulls never made contract offer (AP)
A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. “I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race,” Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

Opinion: Why should hoops players go to college?

Discuss: Sound off on NBA at Newsvine.com

Yao still consulting with doctors (AP)
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The playing future of the 7-foot-6 Yao is in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out all of next season, and potentially end his career.

Artest agrees to deal with Lakers (AP)

Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. “I am very excited to finally be going to L.A.,” Artest said in a statement issued by his agent Thursday night. “For years now, the Lakers have expressed interest in having me play for them, but we could never get the stars to align.

Report: Artest joining Lakers

Free agent forward Ron Artest is reportedly leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers and will provide the team with more offensive firepower next season, as he’ll join Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on the defending NBA champions.

Holy Cross hires Irish assistant Kearney
Holy Cross has hired Notre Dame associate head coach Sean Kearney.

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Be happy the bad guy is back
Greivis Vasquez is known to say the wrong thing and make opposing fans nuts, but Jeff Goodman is happy he’s staying in school.

Shaq proclaims he’ll help Cavs win title (AP)
His nickname hasn't arrived. His motto with Cleveland is already in place. “'Win a Ring for the King,”' Shaquille O'Neal said in announcing his goal to help LeBron James get his first NBA championship. The Big Benefactor? Dressed smartly in a black suit, pink shirt and matching tie, the inimitable Shaq was introduced Thursday for the first time as a member of the Cavaliers,…

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Hill: Herculean Shaq ready to deliver for Cavs

Hill: The mere presence of the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Shaquille O’Neal renews hope for an NBA title in Cleveland.

Rumors: Celts really, really, really want Rasheed

Rumors: Latest NBA rumors

Gordon says Bulls never made offer
CHICAGO (AP) -A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.

‘I’m here to get The King a ring,’ Shaq says
15-time All-Star introduced as new teammate for LeBron in Cleveland

Obama says Kobe is no match for Jordan

President gives his opinion about who greatest NBA player is

Yao still consulting with doctors (AP)
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The playing future of the 7-foot-6 Yao is in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out all of next season, and potentially end his career.

King of Pop set for LA memorial service

Michael Jackson’s family announced a free public memorial service for the tragic pop icon in Los Angeles, as a custody battle loomed with his ex-wife seeking their children.

Taylor, Curry lead squad to win in FIBA opener
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States started its bid for its first world junior title in 18 years with a 106-55 win over Iran on the opening day of the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships on Thursday.

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Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney hired as Holy Cross head coach
Holy Cross will name Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney as its next men’s basketball coach, with an official announcement coming Thursday.

Luke Winn: Purdue’s Robbie Hummel on Twitter, Coach Painter, more
Purdue’s Robbie Hummel talks to Luke Winn about why he’s not worth following on Twitter, back pain and how to know when Coach Painter is really mad.

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Red-hot college basketball rivalries for the 2009 season
When it comes to red-hot rivalries for the 2009 season, Tobacco Road takes a back seat to Kentucky and Louisville.

United States beats Iran in opener at FIBA U19 worlds
The United States started its bid for its first world junior title in 18 years with a 106-55 win over Iran on the opening day of the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships on Thursday.

Louisville to face UConn and Syracuse twice
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville will have its hands full trying to defend its Big East title.

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Opinion: Why should hoops players go to college?

Ventre: Artest puts everything in jeopardy for Lakers

Ventre: With the signing of often-troubled Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant’s focus will be split between title repeat and team retreats.

Hill: Herculean Shaq ready to deliver for Cavs

Hill: The mere presence of the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Shaquille O’Neal renews hope for an NBA title in Cleveland.

SCORES, STATS, STANDINGS, SCHEDULES

Full coverage of every team

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Rockets agree on multiyear deal with Ariza
Free agent forward Trevor Ariza will replace Ron Artest, who is set to sign with the Lakers.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
BEIJING (AP) -Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot.

Holy Cross hires Irish assistant Kearney
Holy Cross has hired Notre Dame associate head coach Sean Kearney.

SCORES, STANDINGS, SCHEDULES, STATS, MORE

Luke Winn: Purdue’s Robbie Hummel on Twitter, Coach Painter, more
Purdue’s Robbie Hummel talks to Luke Winn about why he’s not worth following on Twitter, back pain and how to know when Coach Painter is really mad.

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Gordon says Bulls never made offer
CHICAGO (AP) -A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station Thursday that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority.

Ventre: Artest puts everything in jeopardy for Lakers

Ventre: With the signing of often-troubled Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant’s focus will be split between title repeat and team retreats.

Report: Celtics meet with Wallace, offer deal
Rasheed Wallace may be joining Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A. Kobe and Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Full coverage of every team

Shaq reveals new motto: ‘Win a ring for the King’
Shaquille O’Neal has joined his Cleveland teammates - and says he can help them win a title. Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team’s suburban practice facility. The Cavaliers are hoping that the 15-time All-Star can help league MVP LeBron James and Cleveland win its first NBA championship. How long will O’Neal will stay with the Cavaliers is still a question.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Report: Pistons OK deals with Gordon, Villanueva
A person tells The Associated Press that Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about joining the team. Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined comment on Gordon’s situation Wednesday, saying there’s an NBA moratorium on discussing free-agent matters. But a person close to the talks says Gordon was in Michigan on Wednesday.