IN BRIEF

BASKETBALL

Iverson ready to call it quits despite desire to keep playing

Allen Iverson is set to retire from the NBA, according to an online report.

Commentator Stephen A. Smith published a statement on his Web site Wednesday attributed to Iverson. It said Iverson plans to retire but also that "I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level."

The statement also said Iverson has tremendous love for the game and the desire to play.

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

One of the NBA's top scorers, Iverson entered this season with a career average of 27.1 points that ranked fifth all time. Yet there was almost no interest in him this summer before he went to the Grizzlies on a one-year deal.

The 6-foot guard thanked former players and coaches in the statement, plus the fans in Memphis and Philadelphia, where he spent his best years. He said stepping away would allow him to spend more time with his wife and kids.

Messages were left for Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, and his business manager, Gary Moore.

Also: The Sacramento Kings said they were informed by the NBA that a former employee gambled while on their staff.

Jack Mai, the team's former assistant director of scouting, was found to have gambled while with the Kings, who fired him in January. Last season was his eighth with the franchise and third as assistant director of scouting.

UCLA forward Nikola Dragovic has been reinstated after a two-game suspension for his arrest in an assault case.

TENNIS

Nadal falls again, knocked out of contention at World Finals

Rafael Nadal fell out of contention for a spot in the semifinals at the ATP World Tour Finals with a second straight defeat, losing 6-1, 7-6 (4) to Nikolay Davydenko.

Nadal looked sluggish throughout and was thoroughly outplayed by the Russian, who secured his first win of the round-robin phase and can still reach the semifinals.

Also, Robin Soderling became the first player to reach the semifinals by beating Novak Djokovic, 7-6 (5), 6-1.

Also: Roger Federer has reclaimed his spot at the top of the tennis world, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fifth time.

The record 15-time Grand Slam champion is closing in on Pete Sampras' all-time mark of six.

MISCELLANEOUS

Johnson crew chief Knaus denies contract extended

Chad Knaus thinks he and Jimmie Johnson can continue to add to their championship total for years to come.

But the crew chief first needs a new contract.

Knaus denied an ESPN report that he has agreed to lead Johnson through 2015, the length of Johnson's new contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.

Knaus, who has guided Johnson to four straight titles and 47 victories since 2002, is still working under an extension signed in 2006 that runs through next season.

Also: Jeremy Mayfield's former attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the suspended NASCAR driver seeking nearly $400,000 in unpaid fees.

The firm James, McElroy and Diehl filed the complaint in North Carolina Superior Court. The firm represented Mayfield following his May 9 suspension for failing a random drug test.

Andruw Jones agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Jones hit .214 with 17 home runs and 43 RBIs in 82 games with Texas last season while making 53 starts as the designated hitter, 12 in left field, five in right field and four at first base.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer has been hospitalized because of recurring symptoms from groin surgery in September.

Ira "Babe" Hanford, who as an 18-year-old apprentice rode 20-1 shot Bold Venture to victory in the 1936 Kentucky Derby, has died. He was 91.

He was the oldest-living jockey to have won the Derby and the only apprentice to have done so.

Hanford did not get a chance to ride Bold Venture in the Preakness because racing officials suspended him for 15 days following the Derby.

He retired in 1953 without running in another Derby.

Hanford said officials never told him why he was suspended, along with two other jockeys.

Some are crying foul over the University of Oregon's reaction to a humorous rap video paying homage to the No. 10 Ducks that has gone viral on the Internet.

A local rap group, "Supwitchugirl," posted its musical ode to Oregon's football team on YouTube a couple of weeks ago and it immediately took on a cyberspace life of its own.

"I Love My Ducks" has since been feted on a national sports radio show.

"Holy moly! Is that my boy Masoli? Cookin' up the offense like he's cookin' ravioli," it goes, giving due to Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

But the rap video features an appearance by the Oregon Duck mascot.

Oregon uses the Donald Duck character as its mascot under a special agreement with Disney. The student in the Duck suit who was in the video was suspended for Oregon's game last weekend at Arizona State.

Some, including a columnist for The Oregonian newspaper, have said the university is being a wet blanket. The rap has no bad language and no one is making money off it.

UCLA's bruin mascot has gotten a messy paint job -- in the colors of cross-town rival Southern California.

UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said the statue in Bruin Square was splashed with red and gold paint sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.