Nba Draft

Citing the economic realities caused by the salary cap, the Houston Oilers yesterday released Ernest Givins, the club's leading career receiver. Said Givins: "I hope and pray someone is interested in a Pro Bowl receiver. My goal is still to try to stay here if they can meet me halfway. " Givins had 542 catches in nine seasons with Houston. He was to make $1.4 million in 1995. HOCKEY The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim signed an affiliation agreement with Baltimore's new entry in the American Hockey League.

CHICAGO - Though long familiar with double- and triple-teams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist stepped back in surprise when he entered an interview session at the NBA draft combine earlier this month and saw the coverage that awaited him. A few dozen sportswriters turned his way as the basketball prodigy, a shy and sheltered 18-year-old, found his seat, inhaled deeply, and with an air of newfound authority, if not resignation, said "Let's go. "...

The Indiana Pacers are sending point guard Darren Collison and wing player Dahntay Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for center Ian Mahinmi, according to the agent for one of the players. Mark Bartelstein, who represents Jones, confirmed Thursday that the deal is in place. "That's going to happen," Bartelstein said. The Mavericks are adding 7-foot center Chris Kaman, a step forward for a team that failed to persuade guard Deron Williams to leave the Brooklyn Nets and play in his hometown.

The superlative adjectives keep raining down on Indiana's Jared Jeffries, the Big Ten player of the year who will lead the Hoosiers (23-11) into the NCAA South Regional final tonight against Kent State (30-5) at Rupp Arena. The winner will earn a berth in the Final Four next weekend in Atlanta. "I thought he was incredibly unique," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Jeffries collected 24 points and 15 rebounds in Indiana's 74-73 victory over the Blue Devils on Thursday.

Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers has announced that he is leaving college and will enter his name in the NBA draft. Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, announced his decision and plans to hire an agent after team officials said he spent the weekend discussing his plans with his family at their home outside Orlando, Fla. "Duke has prepared me for the challenges that are ahead both on and off the court," Rivers said in...

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on top of the NBA draft yet again, only this time there is no LeBron James waiting to save them. There may not even be a Kyrie Irving. The first big NBA draft question was answered Tuesday night when the Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years. But there are still plenty of questions left with a draft that many talent evaluators believe lacks the star power of previous years. And they start right at the top. There is no consensus No. 1 selection.

VILLANOVA'S Maalik Wayns, as most figured all along, has made it official. The junior lead guard from Roman Catholic High will not be coming back for his final season of eligibility. Instead, he will keep his name in the NBA draft. "We've been hearing all the rumors, so there was no reason to wait any longer," said Wayns, a second-team All-Big East selection and the leading scorer (averaging more than 17 points a game) on a team that finished 13-19. "The best thing was to get it out. "It's kind of a relief.

MAALIK WAYNS still could come back to Villanova for his fourth season. It just doesn't feel that way. Nevertheless, the junior lead guard was noncommital yesterday, 24 hours after putting his name into consideration for the NBA draft. The Wildcats' leading scorer (17.6 points per game), a second-team all-Big East selection, has until April 10 to make his final decision. Given those time restraints, it's difficult to see him changing his mind. But maybe, you never know. "I think it's too up in the air right now," the Roman Catholic product said at the Davis Center practice facility.

Dorell Wright is not expected to be a starter this season for the 76ers, but he showed Wednesday night that he could excel in that role or any other coach Doug Collins has in mind. Acquired from Golden State in a three-team trade, the 6-foot-9 Wright provides something the Sixers were severely lacking last season - a consistent perimeter game. Starting for the first time in his third preseason appearance for the Sixers, Wright scored 17 points in a 113-99 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Lavoy Allen entered his rookie season with the 76ers without the highest of profiles. He had starred at Pennsbury High and Temple, but Allen, the 50th overall selection in the 2011 NBA draft, probably exceeded the expectations of Sixers fans simply by making the team. Even better, Allen contributed as a rookie and became a vital frontcourt performer in the postseason for the Sixers. This season, his profile, and likely his playing time, will rise. Even with the addition of Andrew Bynum, Allen was expected to see his share of time at power forward and possibly center.