Prosecutors charge Oden with battery
INDIANAPOLIS — Prosecutors in Indiana have formally charged former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden with battery for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in the face during a fight.
The free-agent center was charged Monday with felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury, misdemeanor domestic battery and misdemeanor battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
The 26-year-old was arrested at his mother’s suburban home in Lawrence, Ind., on Thursday and released later that day from jail. An affidavit says a witness told police Oden had punched the woman in the face, drawing blood.
The Associated Press left a phone message seeking comment with Oden’s attorney.
The Portland Trail Blazers made Oden the top pick in the 2007 draft. He played for the Miami Heat last season.
NBA fines Raptors for Drake’s Durant pitch
NEW YORK — The NBA has fined the Toronto Raptors for tampering after rapper Drake let Kevin Durant know he was wanted in Canada.
Drake is a “global ambassador” for Canada’s NBA club. He was performing at a concert that Durant was attending last week in Toronto when he shouted to the crowd to show the league’s MVP what it would be like if he came to play for the Raptors, causing a loud ovation.
An NBA spokesman confirmed the fine, which ESPN.com reported Monday was for $25,000.
Durant can become a free agent after the 2015-16 season. He has spent his entire career with the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise.
Nets rookie Brown out with broken hand
NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets rookie Markel Brown has a broken bone in his right hand that will keep him from basketball activities for four to six weeks.
The Nets said Brown was injured while working out Monday in Las Vegas and was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand. His hand was placed in a cast.
Brown was drafted by Minnesota with the No. 44 pick and the Nets acquired his rights on draft night. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 17.2 points as a senior at Oklahoma State.
The Associated Press