Wizards use amnesty to dump Blatche
WASHINGTON, July 17 (UPI) -- The Washington Wizards said Tuesday they have waived forward Andray Blatche using the league's amnesty provision.
With the move, the team bought out the remainder of Blatche's contract for $23 million and had his salary removed from the books.
Blatche, a once-promising second-round draft pick, played in just 26 games last season, averaging 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In 2010-11, he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per contest as the Wizards struggled to a 23-59 record.
"Andray did not figure into our future plans, and using the amnesty provision is a mutually beneficial opportunity for us to part ways," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement.
The 25-year-old ran into trouble off and on the court in recent years, including a suspension for fighting with a teammate at a night club, refusing to enter a game and belligerence toward the coaching staff.
Blatche was benched by Coach Randy Wittman last season to undergo conditioning after gaining weight.
Boston's Ortiz out with Achilles injury
BOSTON, July 17 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will be out of the lineup for at least a week with an injury, Manager Bobby Valentine said Tuesday.
The veteran designated hitter hurt his right Achilles tendon during Boston's 5-1 victory over the White Sox Monday.
Ortiz was injured stepping on second base while trotting around the bases after a home run by Adrian Gonzalez.
"The MRI has shown there's not a tear, he's sore and he's going to get another opinion," Valentine said.
"I talked with some of the medical staff, they thought the 24-hour wait at least is something that gives you a different opinion sometimes. We'll wait at least the 24 hours and probably into tomorrow maybe until we get a second opinion."
Trainers fitted Ortiz with a walking boot as a precaution.
Owner of minor-league team gets 4 years
KANSAS CITY, Kan., July 17 (UPI) -- The former owner of the Kansas City Knights has been sentenced to four years for failing to send withheld taxes from his company to the government.
James Clark, 53, of Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty earlier this year to tax evasion and bank fraud, The Kansas City Star reported. At a hearing Monday in Kansas City, Kan., he was ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution in addition to the prison term.
The Knights are a minor-league basketball team in the American Basketball Association. The team played for three seasons beginning in 2001 and then said it would suspend operations until ground was broken on a new arena.
Clark also owns Swish Holding Corp., the company involved in the tax and fraud charges. The bank fraud involved an application for a line of credit.
Kevin Dellett, Clark's lawyer, said his client has been cooperating with investigators.
"He is truly remorseful for his conduct and hopes his case serves as a lesson to his family and others," Dellett said. "Mr. Clark is relieved to know his fate and to now be able to spend another six weeks with his family before surrendering."
Former college basketball star attacked
CHICAGO, July 17 (UPI) -- A former college basketball star was pistol-whipped and robbed of $100,000 at his Chicago condominium, police said.
Adebayo Akinkunle, 37, suffered cuts and a broken nose in the attack Monday afternoon, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Akinkunle was a high school star in Chicago and went on to Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where he was Missouri Valley Conference player of the year in 1988. He played basketball overseas after college.
Police said officers responding to a call of a shooting in the South Loop found Akinkunle in his condominium, which had been ransacked. He told investigators he did not know the thieves, who left in his Range Rover with a wall safe, $100,000 in cash, 10 credit cards and two cellphones.
A shell casing was recovered at the scene, but no one suffered a bullet wound.
