NBA: Two former high school classmates of disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy were both sentenced to more than a year in prison Thursday for their roles in a betting scandal that embarrassed the league.
A federal judge in Brooklyn gave James Battista, a professional gambler and admitted drug addict, 15 months in prison for making bets based on inside tips. Thomas Martino, the scheme’s middleman, was sentenced to a year and one day for paying the referee thousands of dollars for the tips.
The men, both 42 and former classmates of Donaghy in Springfield, Pa., apologized before being sentenced.
The judge rejected arguments by defense attorneys that their clients deserved probation. The gambling plot, she said, had serious repercussions because anytime a referee’s “integrity is compromised in any way, the entire sport is compromised.”
Donaghy, 41, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges he took the cash payoffs from gamblers for picks on games, including ones he officiated, based on his behind-the-scenes knowledge. He faces up to 33 months in prison at sentencing Tuesday.
KNICKS: New York signed guard Anthony Roberson, giving them 16 players under contract and a crowded backcourt. Roberson has played 36 career NBA games with Memphis and Golden State, but spent last season in Turkey and Israel. The Knicks signed him to a deal after he averaged 14.8 points in five games for their summer league team.
NUGGETS: Denver brought back Chris Andersen, signing the frontcourt player known as “Birdman.” Andersen was reinstated by the NBA in early March after being kicked out on Jan. 27, 2006, for violating the league’s drug policy. The 6-foot-10, 228-pound Andersen played in five games for the New Orleans Hornets last season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.8 rebounds a game.
WARRIORS: Kelenna Azubuike will return to Golden State after the club matched the Los Angeles Clippers’ three-year, $9 million contract offer for the shooting guard. Azubuike averaged 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 81 games last season with the Warriors, who signed the former Kentucky guard out of the NBA Developmental League in January 2007. He started 17 games for Golden State, and he should see more playing time next season after Baron Davis’ departure for the Clippers, Mickael Pietrus’ signing with Orlando and Monta Ellis’ expected move to point guard.
The Warriors made sure they would have Monta Ellis in their backcourt at least for the near future, re-signing the explosive guard to a six-year deal worth about $66 million. Ellis, who was a restricted free agent, is expected to take over at point guard next season in Don Nelson’s up-tempo offense after two-time All-Star Baron Davis opted out of his contract earlier this month to join his hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
