Sports briefs for March 17, 2004

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

O'Neal, Garnett invited to Athens

Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett have been asked to fill two of the three remaining roster openings on the U.S. Olympic team, and Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter, citing a recurring ankle injury, told USA Basketball officials that he preferred to rest in the offseason, Bloomberg News Service reported today.

Among players still being considered for the 12-man team is Cleveland Cavaliers rookie LeBron James.

O'Neal, at 7-foot-1, and Garnett, 6-11, would give the U.S. team the size its roster lacks. O'Neal, 32, has said his decision on whether to play in Athens hinges on how far the Lakers advance in the playoffs. USA Basketball didn't give the players a deadline to respond. The latest possible end date for the NBA Finals is June 20. The U.S. team, which is coached by Detroit's Larry Brown, begins its training on July 26.

Already on the U.S. team are Seattle's Ray Allen, Sacramento's Mike Bibby, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone, San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Philadelphia's Allen Iverson, New Jersey's Jason Kidd, Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.

Bryant didn't play in last summer's qualifying tournament after being accused of rape and while recovering from shoulder surgery. He was replaced by Carter, who has missed nine games this season.

The U.S. opens Olympic play on Aug. 15 against Puerto Rico.

Agassi in quarters

Andre Agassi advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Pacific Life Open with a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Mikhail Youzhny at Indian Wells, Calif. Others advancing included top-ranked Roger Federer, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Lindsay Davenport. Federer's 6-4, 6-1 victory against Mardy Fish improved his record to 19-1 in 2004 and was his 24th victory in his past 25 matches.

DeVaney takes lead

Mike DeVaney of Escondido, Calif., rolled a 2,834 over 12 games to take the overall lead in the second round of qualifying in the PBA world championship at Taylor, Mich. First-day leader Randy Weiss of Irmo, S.C., slipped to second, 69 pins behind DeVaney.

Cowboys sign Henson

Quarterback Drew Henson signed an eight-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, who acquired his rights by trading a third-round 2005 draft choice to the Houston Texans.