PRO BASKETBALL

Lakers sign free-agent forward Elton Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers on Monday signed free-agent forward Elton Brown, a 6-foot-9 forward from the University of Virginia, the team announced.

He spent the 2005-06 season in Greece playing for Makedonikos Kozani, where he led the league in rebounds, averaging 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Referee Joey Crawford reinstated after suspension: NBA referee Joey Crawford was reinstated by commissioner David Stern, five months after he was suspended indefinitely for improper on-court conduct.

San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan contended that Crawford challenged him to a fight during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 15. Crawford ejected Duncan while the player was laughing on the bench. Stern cited a pattern of similar acts in suspending Crawford.

Heat sign Bucks' Bell to offer sheet: Restricted free-agent guard Charlie Bell signed a $18.5 million, five-year offer sheet with the Miami Heat and now will wait to see if the Milwaukee Bucks choose to match that deal.

Thomas denies calling former Knicks exec vulgar names: New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas denied calling a former female team executive vulgar names, according to a videotaped deposition played for a jury in his sexual harassment trial.

Anucha Browne Sanders, is seeking $10 million in damages on her claim that she was fired because she accused Thomas of harassment.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Former QB Jones stung by Weis' comments

Demetrius Jones, the Notre Dame quarterback who lost the starting position after a poor performance in the season opener, expects to play next season at Northern Illinois following his quick decision to transfer.

Jones surprised Notre Dame's coaches by not showing up Friday for the bus trip for the team's game at Michigan.

Jones said he was stung by coach Charlie Weis' comments that freshman Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian School had been the team's top quarterback, but was not named the opening game starter as he was recovering from surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow.

"When I heard Jimmy was the No. 1 all the way through spring and that the only thing that was keeping him out of the lineup was his surgery, well that's not what I was led to believe going into the summer," Jones told the South Bend Tribune for a story Monday. "I thought I was getting a chance because coach Weis believed in me. Then I didn't know what to believe anymore."

BOXING

Marquez-Juarez fight rescheduled for Nov. 3

Juan Manuel Marquez's WBC super featherweight title bout with Rocky Juarez has been rescheduled for Nov. 3.

Originally scheduled for last Saturday, the bout was called off one week beforehand when Marquez developed a staph infection in his right hand.

HORSE RACING

John Henry recovering after health scare

Champion thoroughbred John Henry is recovering well after battling dehydration last week, officials at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., said.

The 32-year-old gelding, who won Horse of the Year honors in 1981 and 1984, was treated with intravenous fluids last week when kidney problems prevented him from staying hydrated said Cathy Roby, barn manager at the Park's Hall of Champions.

John Henry won more than two dozen stakes races during his career, including the Arlington Million and the Santa Anita Handicap twice. He retired in 1985 as the richest horse in racing history.