Peja Stojakovic said Wednesday that he would not play for Serbia and Montenegro at the Athens Olympics, depriving the defending world champions of their best perimeter scorer.
The three-time NBA All-Star for the Sacramento Kings said he was tired and that his decision was irreversible.
"No way. I already spoke with the team officials. We talked about it, and it's done," Stojakovic told Associated Press. "I'm not going to go."
Stojakovic will be in Greece during the Olympics, fulfilling the end of a three-month stint in the Greek army. He holds dual citizenship in Greece and Serbia and Montenegro.
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Olympic athletes in Athens will be tested for the banned stimulant human growth hormone for the first time after research at a British university, Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told Bloomberg News. The test will be carried out on urine and blood samples.
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Marion Jones has withdrawn from a pre-Olympic meet this week in London, where she had been scheduled to compete in the 100 meters and the long jump. No reason was given for her withdrawal.
Hockey
The Phoenix Coyotes have made a two-year contract offer to right wing Brett Hull, who played for the Detroit Red Wings last season.
"We have a genuine interest, we've made a serious and substantive offer, and we're awaiting his reply," Coyote General Manager Mike Barnett said.
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The Red Wings re-signed defenseman Mathieu Dandenault to a one-year contract worth $1.6 million.... The Boston Bruins agreed to terms with right wing Tom Fitzgerald on a two-year contract.... Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.... The Atlanta Thrashers agreed to terms with free-agent forward Patrik Stefan.
Golf
Esther Choe of La Quinta shot an even-par 71 to move to within two strokes of the lead going into the final round of the McDonald's Betsy Rawls Girls Championship at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pa. Choe is tied for fourth at four-over 146. Grace Woo of Burbank is in eighth at 147.
First-round leader Julieta Granada of Paraguay is in a three-way tie for the lead at 144 with Tiffany Chudy of Miramar, Fla., and Amanda Blumenherst of Scottsdale, Ariz.
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Rory Hie of Lakewood shot a three-under-par 69 to move into a tie for second place at one-under 143 at the halfway point of the HP Boys Junior Championship at Bay Hill Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. Samuel Sanders of Windermere, Fla., leads at 142.
