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Ex-NBA star Williams wants to keep lawyers

SOMERVILLE, N.J., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Former NBA star Jayson Williams said he wants his lawyers to continue representing him in a manslaughter case in Somerset County, N.J.

While Williams' lawyers have asked to be withdrawn from the former basketball player's case, Williams told Somerset County Judge Edward Coleman the attorneys should continue to represent him based on the money he has already paid them, The New York Post said Thursday.

Williams' attorneys maintain they have had difficulties communicating with the former New Jersey Nets player.

Coleman has yet to rule on the lawyers' request and has scheduled a hearing to discuss the issue further on Jan. 11.

The Post said Williams, 41, is set to be retried on manslaughter charges for the death of limousine driver Costas "Gus" Christofi. Williams is accused of accidentally shooting Christofi with a shotgun at the basketball player's home in Alexandria Township, N.J., in February 2002.

Agent: 'Barry Bonds will never play again'

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Major League home run leader Barry Bonds is done with baseball, his agent, Jeff Borris, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Bonds, 45, last played in the majors in the 2007 season, but because of his problems with obstruction of justice charges in the BALCO probe, alleged steroids usage and gimpy knees, no team has offered him a contract.

The seven-time National League MVP has said he would not retire, hoping he a team would call.

He hit 762 home runs in 23 seasons.

"It's two years since he played his last game, and if there was any chance he'd be back in a major league uniform, it would have happened by now," Borris said Wednesday in an interview with the Chronicle. "Now, (its 2010 (and) ... I'd say it's nearly impossible. It's an unfortunate ending to a storied career."

In his career, Bonds compiled 1,996 RBI, 2,558 walks, a .298 batting average, and a .444 on-base percentage.

Former boxer Tubbs facing year in prison

CINCINNATI, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The mother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tony "TNT" Tubbs said her son is facing prison in Ohio because of crack cocaine.

Tubbs' 71-year-old mother, Leona, said despite her son's past successes in the boxing ring, his struggles with crack cocaine addiction led him to plead guilty to cocaine possession charges in Hamilton County, Ohio, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

"He's been the world champion. He's knocked out world champions but he can't knock out this crack cocaine," the elder Tubbs said.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Melba Marsh ordered Tubbs, 51, to face an evaluation to determine if he would be better suited for prison or a secure drug rehabilitation facility.

Tubbs, who previously served prison time for cocaine-related crimes and not making child support payments, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 14. He is facing as much as a year in prison.

Leona Tubbs has nine children, 50 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, yet remains determined to help her famous son.

"I've cried many tears and stayed up late at night praying," she said of her struggles with Tony Tubbs. "I came too far to leave him."

Van den Berg leads at Dunhill Championship

MALELANE, South Africa, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ulrich Van den Berg birdied five holes in a six-hole span Thursday en route to an 8-under-par 64 and the lead at South Africa's Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The Dunhill, despite its December 2009 competition dates, is the first event of the 2010 schedule for the European PGA Tour.

Van den Berg didn't have a bogey in taking the first-round lead. Pelle Edberg had one bogey against eight birdies and is just one stroke behind at 7-under 65. Edoardo Molinari and Titch Moore are tied for third at 6-under-par. Another nine golfers shot 5-under 67 Thursday.

Van den Berg, playing the Leopard Creek course's second nine first Thursday, birdied the 11th hole. He made the turn at 3-under after birdies at Nos. 13 and 15 -- both par 5s. He birdied the course's first four holes and dropped to 8-under with a birdie at No. 6.

Edberg, playing in the second group off on the day, erased a birdie at No. 2 with a bogey at the third hole. Birdies at Nos. 6 and 8 and a series of pars allowed him to be 2-under after 11 holes. He finished with birdies in five of his last seven holes.