IN BRIEF

BASKETBALL

Rapper not required to testify at Iverson trial

Rapper 50 Cent will not have to testify at NBA star Allen Iverson's assault trial this month, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Friday.

The lawsuit stems from a fight between members of Iverson's security detail and patrons at a downtown Washington bar in 2005. Two customers sued, accusing Iverson of hitting one of them with a bottle and charging the entourage with assault, conspiracy and other charges.

One of the rap industry's most lucrative entertainers, 50 Cent -- whose real name is Curtis Jackson III -- was not involved in the fight. But lawyers for the customers said the rapper knew some of Iverson's security detail and could testify at trial about their behavior.

Also: The Detroit Pistons traded 6-foot-6-inch guard Carlos Delfino to the Toronto Raptors for second-round draft picks in 2009 and 2010.

Delfino, from Argentina, was drafted 25th overall by Detroit in 2003 and averaged 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 180 games with the Pistons.

UNR guard Ramon Sessions said he will forgo his senior season with the Wolf Pack to "pursue my dream" in the June 28 NBA Draft.

Sessions announced in April his intention to make himself eligible for the draft but had stopped short of hiring an agent in case he wanted to return to school.

FOOTBALL

Arena player dies after brain surgery

Justin Skaggs, a receiver/linebacker for the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze, died one day after emergency brain surgery in Salt Lake City.

Skaggs, 28, recently diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, had surgery Thursday to relieve swelling after he complained about a severe headache.

Also: Indiana assistant Bill Lynch will replace football coach Terry Hoeppner, who has had brain surgery twice in the last 18 months.

The 59-year-old Hoeppner is on his third medical leave from the team. His latest absence, which began in mid-March, is the longest in his two seasons with the team.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback B.J. Tucker will miss the season after tearing his pectoral muscle during offseason workouts Tuesday.

MISCELLANEOUS

Bruins coach Lewis fired after one season

Dave Lewis is out as Boston Bruins coach after just one season.

General manager Peter Chiarelli announced Lewis will be relieved as head coach and reassigned to another position in the organization.

Lewis was 35-41-6 in his lone season as Bruins coach.

Also: Meseret Defar of Ethiopia broke her own women's world record in the 5,000 meters by finishing in 14 minutes, 16.63 seconds at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.

The 23-year-old runner set the previous mark of 14:24.53 in New York last year.

In the men's 100, world record holder Asafa Powell led throughout to win in 9.94 seconds.

UFC star Royce Gracie tested positive for a steroid after winning a fight earlier this month and could face a year's suspension.

The California Athletic Commission said Gracie, 40, tested positive for a nandrolone metabolite steroid after beating Kazushi Sakuraba in a June 2 Ultimate Fighting Championship match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Gracie will be suspended and fined up to $2,500, pending an appeal to the commission.