Camby’s Family in Hostage Standoff

A knife-wielding man took New York Knick forward Marcus Camby’s mother and two sisters hostage Monday before surrendering peacefully in South Windsor, Conn.

Troy Crooms was charged with burglary, sexual assault, kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint and possession of a weapon after the nearly eight-hour standoff. Bail was set at $500,000 and he was scheduled for arraignment today.

Police said the 28-year-old Hartford man was known to Camby’s family. The mother had called police earlier this month about a dispute at the home, and police questioned Crooms and one of Camby’s sisters at the time but did not file any charges, South Windsor police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Reed said.

Camby’s 21-year-old sister had a knife held to her throat during the standoff, Reed said. She was taken to Hartford Hospital and was treated for injuries to her arm, hand and head, Reed said.

Crooms is listed on the state’s database of sex offenders because of a 1993 conviction for third-degree sexual assault.

Police arrived at the home about 3:30 a.m. Monday after a report of domestic violence. Camby’s mother left with police. Camby’s 22-year-old sister escaped through a second-floor window at 8 a.m.

The captor’s only demand was to speak with Marcus Camby, Reed said. Camby arrived about 8 a.m., but did not speak to him. Instead, Camby stood in the driveway, where he was visible from inside.

Crooms surrendered peacefully just after 11 a.m. without speaking to Camby, Reed said.

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Philadelphia 76er center Dikembe Mutombo won his fourth NBA defensive-player-of-the-year award.

Mutombo, who led the league in rebounding with 13.5 a game and was fifth in blocked shots with a 2.71 average, received 48 of a possible 123 votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves was second with 26 votes.

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The American Jewish Congress called for Knick guard Charlie Ward’s removal as Florida’s “Born to Read” literacy campaign spokesman for comments he made disparaging Jews in a New York Times Magazine story.

Later Monday, Ward apologized to his team, the NBA and Knick fans after Commissioner David Stern condemned Ward’s religious “zealotry.”

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Utah Jazz guard John Starks was hospitalized overnight after complaining of abdominal pain but was cleared to play tonight in Game 2 of the team’s playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.