UPI NewsTrack Sports

Woman in Bryant sex scandal overdosed

EAGLE, Colo. July 21 (UPI) -- The woman who has accused Kobe Bryant of sexual assault suffered a drug overdose about a month earlier, a friend says.

Ashley Scriver said the woman, Scriver's childhood friend, suffered the overdose before the June 30 incident that led to Bryant's July 4 arrest, the Denver Post reported.

On Friday, the Eagle County district attorney announced he was charging Bryant with one count of sexual assault.

The Los Angeles Lakers star was recovering from knee surgery at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colo., where the woman worked when the alleged incident occurred.

Bryant held a news conference in Los Angeles Friday admitting to having sex with the woman, but saying it was consensual.

Her identity is being withheld because she's an alleged sex-crime victim.

Reports: Yzerman, Red Wings close

DETROIT, July 21 (UPI) -- It looks like Steve Yzerman is heading back to the Detroit Red Wings for a 21st season.

ESPN reported Monday that Yzerman has agreed to a one-year deal with a base salary of $6 million. The deal reportedly carries conditions that could add $2 million to that.

The Detroit News also reported that a deal was close.

Yzerman, 38, earned $8 million in 2002-03. But he missed the first five months of the last season while recovering from knee surgery. He finished with two goals and six assists in 16 games, but was awarded the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy for qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey the following season.

In his 20-year career with the Red Wings, Yzerman has amassed 660 goals and 1670 points in 1,278 games.

Sampras is out of the Open

STATELINE, Nev., July 21 (UPI) -- In an interview Sunday, Pete Sampras says he will withdraw from the U.S. Open.

Sampras made the comments during a celebrity golf tournament near Lake Tahoe.

He won the event last year, beating long-time rival Andre Aggassi to snap a two-year tournament drought, and hasn't played in a major this year.

"Not being at the Open this year, which I'm going to pull out of, and not playing Wimbledon, I don't miss it enough to really start training, start practicing, doing everything I have to do to be where I want to be," Sampras said. "So it's a sign to me to say 'it's probably time'."

Sampras, 31, set an ATP record by finishing No. 1 in the world rankings for six straight years.

In his career, he has won Wimbledon five times, the Open five times and the Australian Open twice. He has an overall record of 762-222 and a record 64 singles crowns.

Prior placed on disabled list

ATLANTA, July 21 (UPI) -- Ace righthander Mark Pior of the Chicago Cubs has been placed on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

Prior suffered the injury in a collision with Atlanta second-baseman Marcus Giles. He's eligible to return to play on Sunday, but has been flown to Chicago for tests.

The injury, which occurred while Prior, 22, was running the bases, kept him out of the All-Star game on July 15. The 6-5, 230-pounder is 8-5 with a 301 ERA in 19 starts this season. He has allowed just 116 hits and struck out 150 in 128 2/3 innings.

To fill his roster spot, the Cubs recalled righthander Sergio Mitre from Double-A West Tennessee of the Southern League. Mitre, who was 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA is expected to start in place of Prior Tuesday against the Braves.

To make room for Mitre on the 40-man roster, Chicago transferred outfield Corey Patterson to the 60-day disabled list.