Tuesday, September 10, 2002

MISSING: Bison Dele, Former NBA PHOENIX -- Associated Press reports former Detroit Pistons center Bison Dele and his girlfriend were reported missing during a boating trip in the Pacific Ocean. Relatives last heard from Dele, girlfriend Serena Karlan and three members of Dele's boat crew two months ago, said Karlan's stepfather, Scott Ohlgren of Boulder, Colo. Dele's boat was scheduled to sail from Moorea, Tahiti, to Honolulu and was last reported as being seen near Tahiti, Ohlgren said. Dele, formerly known as Brian Williams, played on the Chicago Bulls' championship team in 1996-97. He later signed with the Pistons, where he played for two seasons before retiring. He played at Arizona in 1990 and 1991.   12:38:11 PM

DENIAL: Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings DETROIT -- "I didn't lie," Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber told USA Today in a story published Tuesday. "The truth always comes out. What this case is about is a 70-year-old man dressed in hip-hop clothes who befriended kids and said he loved kids, and I believed him." Webber was indicted Monday on charges he lied to a grand jury about his dealings with University of Michigan booster Ed Martin, who admits lending the NBA star $280,000 while he was still an amateur. "I didn't know he saw my potential before I saw it. Threats were made. Those threats have come to reality. I believe this is extortion. After the trial, and I am vindicated, this case will be bigger than me lying to the grand jury, which I did not do," Webber said. Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, admitting he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to several players while they were still amateurs. Webber Indictment Chronology Indictment Keeps Michigan Program Under Cloud 12:32:08 PM

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