O’Bannon Waived by Trail Blazers

Former UCLA star forward Charles O’Bannon was among three players cut Thursday by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Also released were forward Jim Carruth and guard Ira Bowman.

O’Bannon, selected in the second round of the 1997 draft by the Detroit Pistons, played in one exhibition game, finishing with four points and two rebounds.

O’Bannon, 24, a member of the Bruins’ 1995 national championship team, played in 48 games the past two seasons, averaging 8.3 minutes and 2.5 points.

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Detroit Piston center Bison Dele has filed retirement papers with the league office, the Detroit News reported.

Dele will forfeit the $5.67 million he stood to earn this season. The Pistons can put Dele on the retirement list or the suspended list. If he is put on the suspended list, the Pistons could reinstate him if he changes his mind--or trade him.

If Dele goes on the retirement list, he will have to sit out the season.

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Wilt Chamberlain was remembered in Philadelphia with uproarious laughter and a few tears at a memorial service at a church just blocks from the high school where he first soared to basketball fame.

More than 500 people, including former teammate Billy Cunningham, former New York Knick Earl Monroe and Temple Coach Don Chaney, attended the lighthearted service near Overbrook High.

Chamberlain died Oct. 12 in his Bel-Air home at 63, apparently of congestive heart failure. A previous memorial service was held in Los Angeles.

“He was a friend, my confidant, the best man at my wedding,” said Vince Miller, Chamberlain’s best friend for more than 50 years. “I’ll love him forever.”

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Lacking experience at center, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed 18-year veteran Danny Schayes and released Anthony “Pig” Miller. Starting center Dean Garrett had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week and is expected to miss three-to-four weeks.

The Boston Celtics signed free-agent forward Marty Conlon to strengthen a frontcourt weakened by the loss of forward Danny Fortson for eight to 12 weeks because of foot surgery. . . . Reserve guard Ricky Davis of the Charlotte Hornets underwent surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined six weeks.