Marbury is coming to Knicks' camp

Stephon Marbury's days with the New York Knicks are apparently not over. Knicks general manager Donnie Walsh told ESPN.com last night the controversial point guard was "coming to training camp." Walsh refuted a report in Newsday, which said the team was planning to waive Marbury. "We have not approached Stephon about a buyout," Walsh said through a team spokeman. The Knicks open training camp Tuesday. Marbury is entering the final year of a contract worth $21.9 million . . . Free agent guard Juan Dixon signed with the Wizards, returning to the team that drafted him after he led Maryland to an NCAA title in 2002 . . . The Spurs signed first-round pick George Hill. The 6-foot-2-inch guard from IUPUI will receive the rookie scale of $1.22 million his first year and $1.31 million his second year . . . Deanna Nolan scored 21 points and the Detroit Shock advanced to the WNBA's Eastern Conference finals for the third straight year with an 80-61 victory over the Indiana Fever. The Shock will face the Liberty in the conference finals . . . Candace Parker scored 20 points and the Los Angeles Sparks advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 71-64 victory over the host Seattle Storm. LA will host San Antonio in Game 1 tomorrow night . . . Northeastern released its men's basketball schedule and the Huskies should have a December to remember. Coach Bill Coen's squad plays at Indiana Dec. 22, and heads to Memphis Dec. 31 to face the Tigers, who lost to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament final in April. NU opens the season Nov. 11 in the 2kSports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at Ann Arbor, Mich., against an opponent to be announced.

Omar Minaya will receive a four-year extension to continue as general manager of the Mets, according to a report on ESPN.com. Citing sources, the report said the deal is all but done, but it is not known when the extension will be announced. Minaya became Mets GM after the 2004 season and has guided the team back into contention . . . Pirates outfielder Brandon Moss will get a second opinion on his left knee tomorrow and may need surgery to repair cartilage in the joint. Moss, a former Red Sox who was part of the deal that brought Jason Bay to Boston and sent Manny Ramírez to the Dodgers, could be sidelined 4-6 months if he needs surgery . . . Wally Joyner quit as hitting coach of the Padres . . . Cardinals righthander Chris Carpenter likely will undergo surgery for a compressed nerve in his shoulder, a procedure the team believes could have its ace back by spring training . . . Japanese great Sadaharu Oh will step down as manager of the Softbank Hawks at the end of the 2008 season. The 68-year-old Oh, who hit a record 868 home runs over 22 seasons when he played for the Yomiuri Giants, cited health concerns for leaving the team . . . New York City police say they arrested 18 people for stealing pieces of Yankee Stadium during the 85-year-old ballpark's final game Sunday night.

Tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is listed as probable and likely will return to No. 14 Ohio State against Minnesota Saturday. Wells has been out of action since injuring his right foot early in the second half of the opening victory over Youngstown State . . . Syracuse athletic director Dr. Daryl Gross said the Orange (1-3) have yet to show the "obvious progress" necessary for Greg Robinson to remain as coach beyond this season, according to a report on ESPN.com . . . Notre Dame tight end Will Yeatman can't play until prosecutors decide whether to formally press alcohol-related charges against him. Yeatman, 20, and center Mike Golic Jr., 18, were among 37 arrested at a weekend party in South Bend following a 23-7 loss at Michigan State.

If Lance Armstrong joins the Astana cycling team for his comeback, then Alberto Contador is ready to leave. "I think I've earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place," the Spanish rider said in a Madrid newspaper. "And with Armstrong some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first and that would hurt me." Contador, the 2007 Tour de France champion, won the Spanish Vuelta Sunday. Armstrong is returning to cycling after three years in retirement and would attempt to win the Tour de France an eighth time.

Eight Belles' trainer Larry Jones says he is retiring from the thoroughbred business. Jones has trained the last two runners-up in the Kentucky Derby - Hard Spun last year and filly Eight Belles this year. Eight Belles broke down after the finish and had to be euthanized. He says the scrutiny he has received since then has taken a toll . . . St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, tore two ligaments in his right knee during a golf outing Sept. 16 and is expected to miss the season but recover fully . . . The NCAA upheld sanctions against Arkansas's track and field program for recruiting violations involving sprint star Tyson Gay. The NCAA handed down its decision last October, taking away the two national titles and giving the school three years' probation . . . Joe Keller of Oyster Harbors advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Senior Amateur in Fort Worth with a 5-and-4 victory over Mitch Voges of Simi Valley, Calif., and a 1-up win over Sam Farlow of Birmingham, Ala. Paul Murphy of Arlington lost in the Round of 16 to John Grace of Fort Worth, 4 and 3 . . . The United States's chase for a 33d Davis Cup title will start against Switzerland in the 2009 World Group draw . . . Veteran trainer Nacho Beristain will prepare Oscar De La Hoya for his Dec. 6 fight with Manny Pacquiao. De La Hoya went in search of a new trainer three weeks ago after Floyd Mayweather Sr., his longtime cornerman, agreed to train Ricky Hatton for his Nov. 22 bout with Paulie Malignaggi.