Sports briefs for July 2, 2004

Friday, July 2, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

Bol seriously injured in Conn. car accident

Former NBA center Manute Bol was seriously injured in a car accident, police said.

Bol was riding in a cab Wednesday night when it hit a guardrail and swerved across both lanes before hitting a rock ledge and rolling over, killing the driver and throwing the 7-foot-7-inch Bol from the car. Bol sustained a head injury and was taken by helicopter to Hartford Hospital, state police spokesman J. Paul Vance said.

Bol's condition wasn't released Thursday.

Pepper retires at 38

Dottie Pepper's blue eyes, so full of passion and determination in six Solheim Cups and 17 victories on the LPGA Tour, glistened with tears Thursday when she announced her retirement due to injuries that took the joy out of golf.

Pepper, 38, was given a special exemption for the U.S. Women's Open, in part because she had to withdraw the past two years with neck and shoulder injuries. She had to withdraw again this week, went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and discovered a pinched nerve that caused numbness in her face and down to her shoulder.

Women's roster set

Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and five other gold medalists from the U.S. Olympic team in 1996 were selected Thursday to the squad that will head to the Athens Olympics next month.

Coach April Heinrichs finalized the 18-woman roster by cutting two players, Tiffany Roberts and Lorrie Fair, who each have been key to America's success over the past several years.

Free agency begins

The most unsettled free-agency period in NHL history began with some signing activity and more big names joining the list of available players.

John Madden and Jay Pandolfo each signed long-term deals to stay with the New Jersey Devils, Kris Draper re-upped with the Detroit Red Wings, and Glen Wesley signed a new contract to stay with Carolina.

But the day started with St. Louis forward Pavol Demitra and Carolina goalie Kevin Weekes being added to the group of players not given qualifying offers by their teams, making them unrestricted free agents.

Nomo placed on DL

Hideo Nomo, winless in his past nine decisions, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right rotator cuff.