Greek Center Signs With Suns

Iakovos “Jake” Tsakalidis, a 7-foot center selected by Phoenix in the first round of the NBA draft, signed with the Suns on Monday.

The signing came after an arbitrator ruled that Tsakalidis is not contractually bound to a Greek pro basketball team.

Tsakalidis, the 25th overall pick, is expected to be available for training camp.

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The NBA will let Isiah Thomas coach the Indiana Pacers while he attempts to sell his interest in the Continental Basketball Assn.

The approval by the league’s Board of Governors was based on assurances from Thomas and the Pacers that Thomas would have no involvement with the CBA.

NBA rules prohibit coaches from having financial interest in another league.

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After a tumultuous summer that included several trade rumors and endless criticism from Coach Larry Brown, Philadelphia 76er guard Allen Iverson returned by promising to be on time, but also saying his off-court activities would not change.

Iverson was fined more than 50 times for team infractions last season.

“It’s embarrassing to hear that an organization is thinking about trading their franchise player because he’s tardy to practice,” Iverson said. “I had something to do with us getting to the playoffs two years in a row and the thanks I get is having my name in trade talks with the Clippers. You’re going to send me to the worst team in the league. That hurt.”

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Detlef Schrempf, a versatile and consistent forward, retired from the Portland Trail Blazers after 15 seasons in the league.

Schrempf, a 37-year-old three-time all-star, averaged 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his career.

Schrempf was a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 1985, and also played in Indiana and Seattle.

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Two-time all-star forward Terry Cummings, 39, retired from the Golden State Warriors, ending an 18-year career that began with him being named rookie of the year in 1983.

Cummings, the second pick in 1982 out of DePaul, averaged 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds while also playing for the San Diego Clippers, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Seattle, New York and Philadelphia.

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New York Knick center Luc Longley will miss three to six weeks, less than originally expected, after injuring his right knee at the Olympics, the team said. Longley was originally expected to miss at least eight weeks weeks.

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Guard Rodney Buford, one of the players acquired in Charlotte’s nine-player trade with the Miami Heat, was waived by the Hornets. . . . The Toronto Raptors signed first-round draft pick Morris Peterson, a 6-foot-7 forward, to a four-year contract. . . . The Dallas Mavericks waived veteran forward Terry Mills upon his request, the team said. . . . Dorothy Auerbach, wife of legendary Boston Celtic coach Red Auerbach, died at 83 Saturday night in a Washington hospital after a lengthy illness.