ON THE SIDELINES : 2 Sonics Release Australian Gaze

Andrew Gaze, who helped Seton Hall reach the NCAA championship basketball finals against Michigan this year, was released by the Seattle SuperSonics today.

The 6-foot-7 Gaze, a free agent, was seeking to become the first Australian to play in the NBA. He averaged 13.6 points in his only season at Seton Hall, which lost to Michigan in the NCAA title game in Seattle.

Also cut by Sonics Coach Bernie Bickerstaff today was 6-10 forward Mike Champion, a free agent from Gonzaga who played in two games for Seattle last season.