IN BRIEF

NBA

Rockets' Alston charged with felony assault

Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston was charged Tuesday with slashing a man's neck during a ruckus at a New York nightspot -- his second brush with the law this month.

Alston was arraigned on felony assault charges before being released without bail. A judge ordered him to return to court Jan. 3.

The man who said he was injured told police the incident occurred about 3 a.m. Monday after he and Alston accidentally bumped each other inside Club Stereo. During an ensuing argument, the man said, Alston slashed his neck.

The 41-year-old went to a hospital to be treated for a minor neck injury, then filed a complaint at a police precinct.

The arrest came three weeks after Alston, 31, was charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication in Houston.

Also: Guard Kevin Martin agreed in principle to a contract extension with the Sacramento Kings.

Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, announced the deal, believed to be a five-year extension to begin in the 2008-09 season. Martin's agent, Jason Levien, couldn't be reached for comment.

Martin, who will begin his fourth NBA season in the fall, was the Kings' leading scorer last season at 20.2 points per game.

The Phoenix Suns and D.J. Strawberry, their second-round draft pick, have agreed to a two-year contract that guarantees him a roster spot this season.

Strawberry, the 59th overall selection in the NBA Draft, will receive the rookie minimum salary of $427,163 for the 2007-08 season. The second year of the contract is a team option.

The 6-foot-5-inch Strawberry, a former University of Maryland standout and son of former baseball star Darryl Strawberry, played point guard in the NBA Summer League and could provide depth at that position.

BASEBALL

New York ban upheld on metal bats for preps

A judge upheld New York's ban on metal bats in high school baseball games, saying it was not his place to overturn a law that was approved by a local government with the public's safety in mind.

U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl said there is no clear evidence that metal bats cause more serious injuries than wooden bats but added the City Council is entitled to make the judgment that the risk is too great.

The law, set to take effect Saturday, resulted from claims that today's metal bats cause balls to go farther and faster, heightening the risk of injuries.

The ban had been challenged by an organization representing national high school baseball coaches, several companies that make metal bats, and coaches and parents of New York City players.

SOCCER

Spanish player, 22, dies after collapsing on field

Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta died, three days after collapsing on the field during his team's Spanish league game against Getafe.

Puerta died of "multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest" and subsequent coronary problems, according to a hospital statement.

Puerta, 22, lost consciousness and fell near his goal Saturday in the 31st minute but walked off minutes later after being treated by team doctors. Doctors said he had a heart attack in the locker room and at least one more in the emergency room of a Seville hospital.