Baxter's Playing Future In Italy In Jeopardy

Lonny Baxter's plans for a playing career in Italy could be over after the forward was sentenced to two months in jail for firearms offences.

"We haven't reached a decision on Baxter but to tell the truth we weren't expecting there to be such a serious sentence," Montepaschi Siena general manager Ferdinando Minucci told The Associated Press on Thursday. "We will be speaking with him to reach a solution."

Baxter — who signed for the Italian team from the Charlotte Bobcats for this season — was sentenced to two months in jail Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of carrying a gun and firing it into the air a few blocks from the White House.

The former Toronto Raptors forward was originally scheduled to join Siena for training camp on Monday ahead of the start of the Italian league season on Oct. 8. His prison sentence will delay his arrival.

Via Globe and Mail

Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

Team U.S.A. Advances With 103-58 Win Over Senegal

Dwyane Wade rose to acknowledge the crowd chanting his name with 4 minutes left, the only time he got off the bench as the United States routed Senegal 103-58 Thursday to advance to the second round of the world championships.

Wade had the night off, after helping the U.S. rally a day earlier in the win against Italy. The NBA finals MVP for the Heat stood and waved, drawing a loud roar.

"That was a first for me," Wade said. "It was a great experience, though. We play our heart out here to entertain. We gained some fans on this trip."

Chris Bosh scored 20 points and LeBron James added 17 in limited duty for the U.S. team, which remained unbeaten.

The Group D champions depart Friday morning for Saitama, where they will face Australia on Sunday in the round of 16.

Via AP

General Basketball, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback

Baxter Remains Jailed On Felony Gun Charges

Former NBA player Lonny Baxter will remain in the District of Columbia jail on felony gun charge at least until next Wednesday, in part because of a request from his attorneys.

Baxter's lawyers asked a D.C. Superior Court judge Friday to delay a bond hearing so they could challenge aspects of the city's new crime emergency legislation that presumes anyone charged with carrying a pistol without a license to be dangerous.

Richard Finci argued that Baxter's classification as a dangerous person, which can be used to deny him bail, violates his constitutional rights.

"He should not be presumed to be a dangerous person just because he had a gun in his possession," Finci said. "To extend the law to the mere possession of a firearm, without a violent crime, goes too far," he said following the hearing.

Via USA Today

General Basketball, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, Toronto Raptors

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback