Murphy Indicted on Sex Counts

NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy was indicted Thursday in Houston on six counts of sexually abusing five of his daughters more than 10 years ago.

The former Houston Rocket star, on leave from his job as an analyst on Rocket telecasts, also was arraigned on three counts of aggravated sexual assault and three counts of indecency with a child, Assistant Dist. Atty. Lance Long said.

“Calvin adamantly insists that he is innocent of these charges and is anxious to present his side to a jury at trial,” Murphy’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said.

Hardin said the indictment was expected and “it is important for everyone to remember that the grand jury has not heard from Calvin nor many witnesses on his behalf that insist these allegations are absolutely untrue.”

Murphy initially was charged March 29 after five daughters accused him of sexually abusing them between 1988 and 1991, when they ranged in age from 6 to 13. Murphy, 55, has contended the allegations stem from a family battle over money, an explanation Long has dismissed.

He remains free on $20,000 bail. If convicted, Murphy could receive five years to life in prison for the aggravated offenses and two to 20 years for the indecency violations. He also could be eligible for probation because he does not have a criminal history.

Murphy, a guard for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983, has 14 children by nine women.

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Former NBA center Manute Bol was seriously injured in a car accident in Colchester, Conn., police said.

Bol was riding in a cab Wednesday night when it hit a guardrail and swerved across both lanes before hitting a rock ledge and rolling over, killing the driver and throwing the 7-foot-7 Bol from the car. Bol sustained a head injury and was taken by helicopter to Hartford Hospital, a state police spokesman said.

Bol’s condition wasn’t released Thursday.

“The doctor said, for his age, he’s in extremely good shape and would probably be dead if he wasn’t an athlete,” longtime friend Andrew Kearns said. “It’s going to be a long recovery, unfortunately.”

Bol is thought to be 42.

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New Jersey Net star guard Jason Kidd had surgery on his left knee.

Kidd is expected to begin rehabilitation immediately, but Net President Rod Thorn said there was no timetable for Kidd’s return. Kidd sat out 15 games last season because of problems with the knee.

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The $401-million sale of the Phoenix Suns to Robert Sarver, a San Diego banking executive, was approved unanimously by NBA owners.

Sarver owns about one-third of the franchise, with the remainder split among a group of investors that includes former NBA player Steve Kerr and Suns’ president Bryan Colangelo.

Former NBA stars Charles Barkley and Sean Elliott had been listed as owners but decided against making the investment before the transaction was completed.

Jerry Colangelo, who came to Phoenix as general manager of the expansion Suns 36 years ago, relinquished his 20% ownership but will remain as Suns’ chairman and chief executive.

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Swingman Latrell Sprewell exercised his option to make $14.6 million next season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, rather than opting out to become a free agent. Sprewell and the team will now discuss a contract extension.

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Indiana Pacer guard Reggie Miller, who will turn 39 in August, announced that he would return for his 18th season on CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.”

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Former Oregon forward Luke Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected him 10th overall in last week’s draft. Financial details were not released, but under terms of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Jackson was in line to sign for three years at $6.37 million.... Forward Rodney Rogers declined to exercise an option on the final year of his contract with the Nets and became an unrestricted free agent.... The Utah Jazz hired Tyrone Corbin as an assistant coach, reuniting him with the team he played for in three of his 16 seasons.