Reggie Miller to retire at end of season
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller, considered one of the top shooters in NBA history, plans to retire at the end of the season.
Miller, who turns 40 in August, told Pacers' Coach Rick Carlisle of his decision Thursday evening, the Indianapolis Star reported.
"It's not a shock," Carlisle said. "I guess it's a sobering dose of reality that this is the last season to see one of the game's greatest players."
The sharpshooter's sister, Cheryl Miller, also reported her brother's plans on the TNT cable network.
"(Wednesday) I spoke to Reggie, and after 18 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, this will definitely be his last season," she said.
Reggie Miller is the league's all-time leader in three-point shots made (2,505) and attempted (6,321), and tops the Pacers' in 13 career categories, including scoring, assists and steals.
Miller, who played in 131 playoff games, is known for some of the NBA's most memorable clutch-shooting performances.
His playoff heroics are legendary. He once scored eight points in less than nine seconds to lift his team to victory.
Karl Malone decides to retire
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Karl Malone, often called the best power forward in NBA history, will announce his retirement at a news conference Sunday.
The announcement will be made at the Delta Center, where Malone, 41, played 18 of his 19 years with the Jazz.
Malone played for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, suffered a knee injury and had surgery. He played in just 42 games.
Malone, who was not signed by any team for this season, ends his career as the No. 2 all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 36,928 points. He averaged 10.1 rebounds per contest in 1,476 games.
Raptors buy out Mourning; he may join Heat
MIAMI, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Former all-star center Alonzo Mourning may return to the Miami Heat.
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have reached an agreement to buy out the remaining two years of Mourning's contract with the team, clearing the way for him to become a free agent.
The 6-10 center has expressed a desire to return to the Miami team, the Miami Herald reported.
The 35-year-old Mourning, a seven-time all-star who has not played since early December, has a home in Miami, where he played for the Heat from 1995 to 2003.
Mourning, who has a kidney disease known as focal glomerulosclerosis, signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the New Jersey Nets just before the 2003-04 season. He was part of a multi-player trade between the Nets and Raptors in December, but never reported to Toronto.
"Since the trade, we have taken the time to fully understand Alonzo's medical situation," Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock said. "Our doctors have thoroughly reviewed his records and consulted with other independent specialists and have determined that Alonzo does not meet our medical conditions to play for our basketball team."
Fasth eagles 3 holes, leads in N. Zealand
WHANGAPARAOA, New Zealand, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Niclas Fasth of Sweden notched three eagles and shot a 9-under-par 63 Friday to lead the New Zealand Open at the halfway mark.
Fasth had a two-round score of 16-under 128 for a two-stroke lead over England's Miles Tunnicliff, who also shot a 63 for 130.
Oliver Wilson of England was in third place at 14-under 131 after shooting a 65.
Fasth eagled the sixth, 11th and 12th holes.
"I did not realize I'd had three eagles today and it is certainly the first time I have had two in a row," the 32-year-old Swede said. "It was certainly a bit windier today and playing tougher but I played very well and things seemed to go right."
The tournament is on the European Tour's international schedule for the first time.
