Hoyas Hire John Thompson’s Son

Hoping to revive its men’s basketball program, Georgetown hired John Thompson III, the son of the only coach to lead the Hoyas to a national title.

The younger Thompson has been Princeton’s coach since 2000.

His father’s 1984 Georgetown team, led by Patrick Ewing, beat Houston for the NCAA championship. Georgetown also reached the national title game in 1982 and 1985 under Thompson, who left the school in 1999 and now works as a TV analyst.

“I am John Thompson’s son. I have been John Thompson’s son for 38 years. I’m pretty comfortable being John Thompson’s son,” Thompson III said. “The pressure that comes along with that -- no one’s going to put more pressure on me than myself.”

Thompson III replaced Craig Esherick, who was fired last month after a 13-15 season, the Hoyas’ worst in 31 years.

The younger Thompson led the Tigers to a 68-42 record over four seasons.

The elder Thompson declined interview requests.

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Nate Carter, UC Riverside’s leading scorer (15.3) and rebounder (6.8) last season as a sophomore, has been released from his scholarship at his request and will transfer, Coach John Masi announced.... Indiana recruit Josh Smith, a 6-foot-8 forward from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, will skip college and make himself available for the NBA draft.... Colorado’s 7-foot center David Harrison will forgo his senior season and make himself available for the NBA draft.

Pro Football

Quarterback Jon Kitna, who recently was demoted to backup behind 2003 No. 1 pick Carson Palmer, signed a one-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Last season, Kitna, who is signed through 2005, had career highs in pass completions (324), yards passing (3,591), touchdown passes (26) and completion percentage (62%).

The Miami Dolphins re-signed backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels to a one-year contract.... Linebacker Edward Thomas, who sat out last season, signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.... Offensive tackle Ryan Diem and guard Rick DeMulling re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

Tennis

Alex Corretja defeated two-time defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-2, 6-3, in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters at Monaco.

In other matches, fifth-seeded Carlos Moya, who lost to Ferrero in the final two years ago, overcame Sargis Sargsian, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-3; Lleyton Hewitt defeated wild card Julien Benneteau, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and Marat Safin rallied to defeat Olivier Rochus, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

All of the world’s top-10 women’s players have entered the Acura Classic, July 24-Aug. 1 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, tournament officials said.

In addition, this year’s lineup includes three-time San Diego champion Venus Williams (2000-02) and her sister Serena Williams. This will be Serena’s first singles appearance at Carlsbad.

Jurisprudence

A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that former Alabama football coach Mike Price was not entitled to a hearing before or after being fired for drunken behavior.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta agreed with a lower court’s decision to dismiss Price’s $20-million defamation and wrongful termination suit against the university because he had not signed a contract.

A Florida man was indicted on a charge that he threatened Notre Dame football Coach Tyrone Willingham.

Andrew K. French, 24, of Fort Myers, Fla., faces a federal charge of transmitting in interstate commerce, a communication containing a threat to injure.

Prosecutors in Philadelphia dropped assault charges against former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier after the alleged victim refused to testify.

Frazier, 60, was arrested after a domestic dispute and charged with assaulting the mother of his 12-year-old son.

Former Olympic boxer Tim Austin was acquitted of charges he raped a 16-year-old girl.

A jury deliberated for 40 minutes in Hamilton County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court before finding Austin not guilty.

Miscellany

Golfer Peter Jacobsen had arthroscopic hip surgery for a bone spur, and was expected to sit out six to eight weeks on the PGA and Champions tours.

UCLA shot nine-over-par 297 in the second round of the Pacific 10 Conference Women’s Golf Championships at Saticoy Country Club in Somis, Calif., and has a two-day total of 605, good for a nine-shot lead over USC entering today’s final round.

California and Arizona are tied for third with 615.

UCLA freshman Hannah Jun shot a tournament-best two-under 70 in the second round and shares the individual lead with teammate Charlotte Mayorkas at one over.

Jamie McMurray and Larry Foyt were docked 25 points apiece by NASCAR for bringing cars to Bristol Motor Speedway that did not meet specifications.