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Bryant likely unavailable for Olympics

By The Associated Press Saturday, May 1, 2004
LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant acknowledged that his legal problems will probably prevent him from playing in this summer's Olympic Games.

Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, released a statement saying the Los Angeles Lakers' star informed USA Basketball it is unlikely he'll be able to compete due to scheduling conflicts concerning his sexual assault charge in Colorado.

But Bryant hopes to keep the door open concerning participation in the Games, to be held Aug. 13-29 in Athens.

"Bryant expressed his intentions at this time to allow USA Basketball ample time to seek a replacement player," Pelinka's statement read in part. "Bryant also relayed a desire to keep the option open of playing for the USA team if there is a change in the scheduling or a dismissal of the case."

USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley said it is "unfortunate" Bryant won't be able to participate.

Pro Football

The Bengals claimed Kurt Kittner off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons, bringing in another candidate for the third quarterback job.

  • The Dallas Cowboys proposed a plan to build a domed stadium and return to Fair Park where the team played from its inception in 1960 before moving to Texas Stadium in 1971. The plan calls for a $650 million stadium with $425 million in public funding.

  • Doctors have diagnosed Jaguars quarterback David Garrard with Crohn's disease, an intestinal ailment that sent him to the hospital last week and left him sidelined for the start of the team's minicamp.

  • Former New York Jet and Tennessee Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell kept his promise and made contact with New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi yesterday. Now, the Giants have to decide whether to sign the 37-year-old to back up and mentor draft prize Eli Manning.

  • Terrell Owens already has bucked one of Andy Reid's rules. While the rest of the team wore shorts at the Eagles' first minicamp, Owens had black, spandex tights.

  • The Carolina Panthers say Muhsin Muhammad isn't leaving. The team drafted two wide receivers in last weekend's NFL draft and Muhammad carries a $6.5 million salary cap figure into the 2004 season but team officials insist Muhammad will be back for a ninth season with the team.

    College Basketball

    Former St. Bonaventure athletic director Gothard Lane is suing the school for libel, saying university officials maliciously damaged his reputation following last year's player eligibility scandal.

    Off the Field

    Jim Cichra was named the 2004 golf Teacher of the Year by the Tri-State Professional Golf Association.

    Cichra, golf director at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center, previously won this award in 1991. The Class A PGA golf professional was the West Penn Open champion in 1996.

  • Former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for leading his Army Rangers unit to the rescue of comrades caught in an ambush. Tillman was shot and killed in Afghanistan while fighting "without regard for his personal safety," the Army said in announcing the award.

    Tennis

    Kristof Vliegen upset third-seeded David Nalbandian, 7-6 (1), 6-4, to qualify in the Open Seat Godo semifinals.

    College Football

    West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez says the Mountaineers will look for another running back to replace recruit Raymond Williams, who is charged in Ohio with murder and aggravated robbery. Earlier this week, WVU withdrew its scholarship offer to Williams pending the outcome of the case.


    Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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