Javaris Crittenton is arrested on murder charge

Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton, who was suspended from the league for having guns in the Washington Wizards’ locker room with teammate Gilbert Arenas, was arrested Monday night in Orange County to face a murder charge in an Atlanta shooting, an FBI spokeswoman said.

Crittenton was taken into custody about 8 p.m. at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana after checking in for a Delta Air Lines flight to Atlanta, spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

Eimiller said he was arrested without incident by FBI agents with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities were trying to determine whether Crittenton will make an initial appearance in federal court, or be taken directly to Atlanta to face state charges there.

“He offered to turn himself in,” lawyer Brian Steel told the Associated Press earlier Monday. “He’s not guilty. We look forward to getting it to the courts.”

Police earlier obtained a murder warrant for Crittenton in the Aug. 19 shooting of 22-year-old Jullian Jones, a mother of four. Police say Jones was walking with two men when she was shot and they believe one of the men with her was the target.

Police spokesman Carlos Campos on Friday said the motive appears to be retaliation for a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim.

ETC.

Woods to play fall Tour event

Tiger Woods has decided to play the Frys.com Open in California in early October.

“I always enjoy competing in my home state, and this tournament fits my schedule perfectly,” Woods said on his website. “I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends.”

The Frys.com Open is Oct. 6-9 at CordeValle Golf Club, about 45 miles south of his alma mater at Stanford.

Woods said a week ago that he might add a tournament because of his limited schedule this year brought on by leg injuries. He chose a PGA Tour event from the Fall Series that he has never played.

Two people with knowledge of the plans say the lead negotiators for the NBA owners and players will meet Wednesday for only the second time since the lockout began.

Commissioner David Stern, deputy commissioner Adam Silver and San Antonio Spurs owner Peter Holt, who leads the labor relations committee, will take part, as will players’ association Executive Director Billy Hunter and union President Derek Fisher of the Lakers, two people told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks are supposed to be confidential.

Lakers forward Ron Artest has been chosen as a contestant on the new season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” which begins Sept. 19.

Texas A&M has notified the Big 12 it will withdraw from the conference, according to a newspaper report.

The New York Times said in a story posted on its website Monday night that Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to Missouri Chancellor and Big 12 board Chairman Brady Deaton to inform the league it was leaving. The report cited two unidentified college officials with direct knowledge of the decision.

Leading San Diego State’s basketball team to its most successful season ever has landed Coach Steve Fisher a lucrative contract extension.

Fisher, 66, was given a four-year extension that includes a clause that his longtime assistant Brian Dutcher is the head-coach-in-waiting.

Fisher gets a $150,000 raise to $800,000 annually, with a 5% escalator in ensuing seasons.