IN BRIEF

PRO BASKETBALL

NBA, players differ on replacement officials

The NBA's president of basketball operations is confident replacement officials would perform well if they are needed when games begin.

The players aren't so sure.

The NBA and its referees union have failed to reach an agreement on a new contract, so the league will begin training replacements this week. Without a new deal soon, those replacements would be used in games starting Oct. 1.

The officiating was criticized during the last lockout in 1995, but Joel Litvin said it will be better this time because the replacements are from the WNBA and NBA Development League and familiar with the NBA program.

But Lakers guard Derek Fisher, president of the players' association, said the NBA's referees are the best in the world and not having them on the floor is "unacceptable."

Also: The owner of the Utah Jazz's NBA Development League team wants to see Michael Jordan go one-on-one against Bryon Russell one more time.

Brandt Andersen is offering a $100,000 donation to the charity of the winner's choice if he can get Jordan and Russell to play a game of 21.

Jordan's jumper over Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals gave the Chicago Bulls a 4-2 series win over Utah. Jazz fans still insist Jordan pushed off Russell to free himself up for the shot.

The Minnesota Timberwolves waived veteran point guard Chucky Atkins.

Atkins was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City in July. But like many of the moves new president David Kahn has made this summer, the acquisition was purely for financial reasons.

Atkins, a 10-year veteran, is in the final year of his contract for nearly $3.5 million. But the Timberwolves are only on the hook for the guaranteed portion of the deal, which is $760,000.

Guard Keith Bogans is set to sign a guaranteed one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs before training camp starts next week, his agent said. San Antonio will be Bogan's fifth team in seven seasons.

Bogans, 29, averaged 5.6 points playing for Orlando and Milwaukee last season. His biggest asset to the Spurs will be on defense after the Spurs traded Bruce Bowen this summer.

Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Thomas had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The procedure was done by the team's orthopedic surgeon, but a timetable has not been set for his return. Thomas, a 12-year veteran, was hurt while working out at his home in California.

COLLEGES

NCAA vice president named interim leader

James Isch wants to fulfill Myles Brand's unfinished goals at the NCAA.

For now, that's Isch's job. He was named Brand's interim replacement, less than a week after the NCAA president died of pancreatic cancer at age 67.

Isch, 59, had been serving as the NCAA's vice president for administration and chief financial officer, overseeing the budget for the premier governing body of college athletics.

"We will continue to focus on academic reform, the fiscal stability of our organization and, most importantly, continue to emphasize the student-athlete," Isch said during a conference call. "Within the next few days, I will be reaching out to members of the athletic community and our staff as we chart our course."

NCAA Executive Committee chairman Michael Adams said the decision was made Monday night. He gave no timetable for naming a new, full-time president.

Also: The UNLV volleyball team ended its six-match losing streak, rallying to beat Wyoming at Cox Pavilion, 14-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-8.

Samantha Richard had 46 assists, 12 digs and six kills for UNLV (2-7, 1-1 Mountain West Conference).

MISCELLANEOUS

Kentucky prep coach: No winners in 'tragedy'

A Louisville, Ky., football coach acquitted last week in the death of a player says there are no winners in what he called a "terrible tragedy."

Former Pleasure Ridge Park High School coach David Jason Stinson said the case was "never Jason Stinson vs. Max Gilpin."

"There are no winners in this case, that's what people have to understand," Stinson said in a phone interview from New York, where he was making the rounds of television talk shows.

A jury deliberated last week for about 90 minutes before finding Stinson not guilty of reckless homicide and wanton endangerment. Prosecutors argued Stinson ran his players to the point of abuse in August 2008, causing Gilpin, a 15-year-old sophomore offensive lineman, to suffer exertional heatstroke that resulted in his death.

Also: Former Preakness champion Summer Squall was euthanized at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky., due to complications of old age. He was 22.

Summer Squall finished second in the 1990 Kentucky Derby behind Unbridled, then returned the favor in the Preakness after a thrilling stretch duel in which he pulled away along the rail.

He did not compete in the Belmont Stakes but returned as a 4-year-old and won the Fayette Handicap in 1991.

The National Portrait Gallery installed a painting of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda on his 82nd birthday.

The life-sized portrait, measuring 60 inches by 50 inches, was installed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. It commemorates Lasorda's long career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The portrait will be on view in the "New Arrivals" gallery through Nov. 15. The painting by Everett Raymond Kinstler will be part of the collection of baseball-related art.

Pinch runner Rashad Eldridge raced home on a wild pitch by Oneli Perez in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Durham Bulls beat the Memphis Redbirds 5-4 in the Triple-A championship game in Oklahoma City.