IN BRIEF

PRO BASKETBALL

Watson, Kruger taken in NBA D-League draft

C.J. Watson, a former Bishop Gorman High School star guard, and ex-UNLV standout guard Kevin Kruger were taken in the first round of the NBA Development League draft Thursday.

Watson, who played at Tennessee, was taken fifth by Rio Grande, and Kruger, cut by the Orlando Magic last week, went 10th to Utah.

Eddie Gill, who has played for four NBA teams, was chosen by Colorado with the first pick. He also played for the Las Vegas Bandits of the International Basketball League.

Also: Power forward Al Jefferson signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was traded to the team in July in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston.

The New Jersey Nets waived guard David Wesley, less than a week after the team traded for the 14-year veteran.

Guard Beno Udrih signed with the Sacramento Kings, potentially filling a hole in the lineup while Mike Bibby is out with a thumb injury.

The Cleveland Cavaliers won’t pick up their contract option on guard Shannon Brown.

COLLEGES

Booty back as starting quarterback for USC

John David Booty will start at quarterback Saturday when 13th-ranked Southern California faces Oregon State. He sat out three games because of a broken middle finger on his throwing hand and was replaced by Mark Sanchez.

Also: Washington State junior running back Dwight Tardy will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left knee last weekend against UCLA. Tardy rushed for a career-best 214 yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars’ 27-7 victory and had rushed for 676 yards this season.

Senior guard Avery Smith, who led Wisconsin-Milwaukee in scoring last season with a 15.5 average, has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.

The UNLV volleyball team pushed its winning streak to seven with a 30-19, 30-19, 30-25 Mountain West Conference victory at Air Force. Lauren Miramontes had 13 kills and Melody Nua had 28 assists for the Rebels (18-3, 9-2 MWC).

UNLV senior Elena Gantcheva lost to fourth-ranked Susie Babos of California 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the ITA Indoor Tennis Championships at Columbus, Ohio.

MISCELLANEOUS

Nalbandian shocks No. 1 Federer again

David Nalbandian beat top-ranked Roger Federer for the second time in less than two weeks, taking a 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory in the third round of the Paris Masters.

Meanwhile, Nikolay Davydenko again was accused of not putting forth his best effort, with the chair umpire criticizing the Russian’s serving in a 6-2, 6-2 third-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis. The defending champion had 10 double faults, 36 unforced errors and had his serve broken five times.

Last week at the St. Petersburg Open, Davydenko was fined $2,000 by the ATP for “lack of best effort” in a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 loss to Marin Cilic.

Also: The Arena Football League’s 22nd season will begin Feb. 29 when the Los Angeles Avengers host the New Orleans VooDoo. The playoffs will begin June 27 and the ArenaBowl will be July 27. ESPN will televise 29 games, including the ArenaBowl.

J.P. Hayes shot a 7-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Seventy players were within five shots of the lead.

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland shot a 3-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Volvo Masters at Sotogrande, Spain.

Rick Tocchet, already on two years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling, won’t be able to resume his position as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes until Feb. 7, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.