Judge Gives Jones a Chance

Avondre Jones was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail for threatening a man with a Samurai sword, but the former Fresno State and USC player was granted his request to work out a new basketball contract by a judge in Fresno.

Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Kane gave Jones until March 7 to turn himself in, allowing the athlete the possibility of playing for the Fort Wayne Fury of the Continental Basketball Assn. before he begins his sentence.

The judge focused mainly on Jones’ probation violations in sentencing him to the six-month term, to be followed by a three-year probation. Jones also was ordered to pay $200 in restitution and a $100 fine for marijuana possession. Prosecutor Doug Treisman said the sentence was fair, given that Jones had been acquitted of an assault charge.

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New Mexico forward Damion Walker was suspended indefinitely by Coach Dave Bliss for violating team rules. Walker was averaging 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 22 games for the 17th-ranked Lobos (17-5).

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Arizona State Coach Rob Evans drew a cautionary warning from the Pacific 10 Conference in the wake of Mike Batiste’s diatribe on officiating after Saturday’s 73-63 loss to Stanford.