Drexler Reportedly Will Coach Cougars

Clyde Drexler, who starred on Houston’s Final Four teams of the 1980s, will retire from the NBA at the end of the season to coach his alma mater, sources told the Associated Press on Tuesday night.

The Houston Rockets’ guard will receive a four-year contract worth $1.2 million. Also, Reid Gettys, David Rose and George Walker will become assistant coaches. All are former Houston players.

Cougar spokeswoman Donna Turner said as of Tuesday evening a news conference had not been scheduled, but “When we are ready to announce something we will shout it out. We are not ready yet.”

The Cougars fired Alvin Brooks at the end of last season.

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Patrick Ewing broke his three-month silence to reiterate his intention to return to the New York Knicks before the playoffs.

“I’m not going to risk anything. If that’s the case, the doctors will tell me to come back next year,” Ewing said in New York. “But if I prove I’m well enough to do it, why not do it this year? Why wait till next year?”

They were Ewing’s first formal public comments since shortly after he underwent surgery on his right wrist on Dec. 21.

Ewing broke a bone in his wrist and tore several ligaments when he landed awkwardly after being fouled Dec. 20 at Milwaukee.

Doctors originally said it was a season-ending and career-threatening injury, but Ewing has progressed so well that the team has since acknowledged it will consider putting Ewing on the playoff roster April 20 if the team qualifies for the postseason.

Ewing said he has not begun shooting the ball, although he hopes doctors will give him clearance to begin doing so this week.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy said the “best-case scenario” would involve having Ewing back for the final three regular-season games and the playoffs.

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Dallas Maverick forward Cedric Ceballos, who tore cartilage in his right knee Sunday against Portland, will sit out the rest of the season.

Ceballos is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week, the Mavericks said.