Former Bullet Duckworth Dead at 44

Former Washington Bullets center Kevin Duckworth died Monday while on a trip to the Oregon Coast to host a free basketball clinic. He was 44. The cause of death was to be determined by a medical examiner.

The 7-foot Duckworth spent 11 seasons in the NBA, helping Portland reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. The two-time all-star also played for San Antonio, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Duckworth grew up in the Chicago area and was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs out of Eastern Illinois University in 1986. . . .

Former NBA player Wayman Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated Monday because of bone cancer. The 44-year-old, who now is an award-winning jazz musician, said on his Web site that removing a portion of the leg was the best way to ensure that the cancer would not return.

Tisdale, who spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, first learned he had cancerous cyst below his right knee after he broke his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. . . .

The Boston Celtics signed first-round draft pick J.R. Giddens. The 6-foot-5 point guard from New Mexico was the 30th pick in the draft.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin participated in 7-on-7 drills, but Coach Urban Meyer said he was not sure if Harvin would play in Saturday's season opener against Hawaii. Harvin, who had offseason surgery on his right heel, practiced Friday and Saturday but has not gone full speed since Aug. 5.

· AUTO RACING: The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will be around for at least three more years with a new format that places the emphasis on the four manufacturers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series.

The annual season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway will have a field of 24 cars representing the top six teams from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. It will be based on the final 2008 car owner points. . . .

Reed Sorenson has left Chip Ganassi Racing, signing a multiyear contract with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The 22-year-old driver will team with Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler next season.