Sports briefs for June 9, 2005

Thursday, June 9, 2005 | 11 a.m.

Illinois stars injured at NBA pre-draft camp

Illinois guard Dee Brown broke his right foot on Wednesdasy at an NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago and might withdraw his name from the June 28 draft.

Brown's teammate Roger Powell, also was hurt Wednesday, spraining his right ankle at Moody Bible Institute and leaving on crutches.

Brown's injury is expected to keep him out of action for 6-8 weeks. He declared last month for the NBA draft but did not hire an agent, leaving open the door to a possible return to Illinois for his senior year.

"What we are telling Dee is that the most important thing now is for him to get healthy," said Illinois assistant coach Jay Price. "Whether he comes back or not is still his decision."

DeCree makes final; Spence runs today

It was by the narrowest of margins, but Halima DeCree of UNLV track and field advanced to the finals of the 100 meters Wednesday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships being held at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento.

DeCree clocked an 11.53 in the race to finish with the ninth-fastest time entering the finals and she was just one-hundredth of a second ahead of Shalonda Solomon of South Carolina, who ran a 11.54. Marshevet Hooker of Texas ran a 11.33 to clock the fastest time heading into Friday's final which is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (PT).

Christine Spence begins competing at the championships today as the senior will run in the 400-meter hurdles as well as compete in the high jump.

Federer, Roddick win

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, the top two choices in British betting parlors to win the Wimbledon men's singles title, advanced today to the quarterfinal round in separate grass-count tuneup tournaments.

Federer needed just 58 minutes to beat hometown favorite Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-4 in the Gerry Weber Open at Halle, Germany. Roddick was extended in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory against Karol Beck in the Stella Artois Championships in London.

Neely in Hall of Fame

Cam Neely was one of hockey's brawniest forwards, and Valeri Kharlamov was one of its swiftest. They are now both Hall of Famers.

The former Boston Bruins star and the late Russian standout joined executive Murray Costello in being elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. -- Sun wire services