West Signs Deal to Stay as President of Grizzlies

Jerry West signed a two-year contract extension Monday, agreeing to remain through 2008 as president of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

West, 67, came out of retirement three years ago to join the Grizzlies after spending nearly four decades with the Lakers as player, coach and executive. He was in the last year of a four-year deal with the Grizzlies.

“I’ve retired once and it didn’t do very well for me,” West said. “This is a life that I know well.”

In Memphis, West built a team that topped a franchise-best 28 victories with 50 wins in 2003-04 and earned its first trip to the playoffs. The Grizzlies reached the playoffs again last season but were swept by Phoenix. West reshaped the Grizzlies in the off-season, sending off Jason Williams, Bonzi Wells, Earl Watson and James Posey and bringing in veterans Damon Stoudamire, Eddie Jones and Bobby Jackson.

Detroit signed Tayshaun Prince, 24, to a $47-million, five-year contract extension, preventing the small forward from becoming a restricted free agent after this season. Prince has averaged 10.6 points.

Forward Mike Dunleavy signed a $44-million, five-year contract extension with Golden State. Dunleavy averaged 13.4 points last season

Rookie Andray Blatche practiced with Washington for the first time since he was shot during an attempted carjacking in September near his home in Alexandria, Va. Blatche was riding in a car when a bullet went through his right forearm and into his chest. Meanwhile, swingman Caron Butler signed a five-year contract extension reportedly for $46 million with the Wizards.

John Bankhead, a spokesman from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which conducted the autopsy, said that the cause of Atlanta center Jason Collier’s death was “heart-related.”

The coroner’s office planned a news conference today to announce the findings. Collier, 28, died Oct. 15 in his Georgia home after having trouble breathing.

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BASEBALL

Angels Have Yet to Contact Bengie Molina

The agent for Bengie Molina said six teams have called to express interest in the free-agent catcher since the end of the World Series, but as of Monday evening, the Angels were not one of them. The Angels have exclusive negotiating rights to Molina until Nov. 10; after that, other teams can submit offers.

“We have no reason to believe the Angels won’t call,” said Alan Nero, Molina’s agent. “I’m sure Bill [Stoneman, Angel general manager] is getting his budget and strategy together. I’m not concerned. I don’t think things are going to heat up until the [December] winter meetings.”

Molina, 31, is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who hit .295 with 15 home runs and 69 runs batted in last season, but his thick body has left him vulnerable to leg injuries in recent seasons.

Still, Molina is considered one of the best all-around catchers in the game, and in a free-agent market class that includes only two proven catchers -- San Diego’s Ramon Hernandez is the other -- Molina is expected to command a three-year deal in the $6 million-a-year range.

The Angels declined a $1.5-million 2006 contract option on reliever Jason Christiansen, a left-hander who had a 2.45 earned run average in 12 appearances after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 30. Christiansen, 36, will become a free agent.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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COLLEGES

Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee Resigns

Randy Sanders resigned as offensive coordinator at Tennessee, two days after the Volunteers suffered their third consecutive loss, this one 16-15 to South Carolina.

Sanders will stay on the staff through the season as quarterback coach. Play-calling will be done by Coach Phillip Fulmer, Sanders and other assistants.

Sophomore guard Arron Afflalo of the UCLA men’s basketball team is expected to sit out a few days of practice because of a bruised left thigh. Guard Jordan Farmar will be reevaluated today after straining his right groin in practice last week. Forward Alfred Aboya resumed non-contact practice nearly three weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

-- Steve Springer

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TENNIS

Henin-Hardenne Is Out of WTA Championships

French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium won’t play in the season-ending WTA Tour Championships that start Nov. 8 in Staples Center.

Henin-Hardenne has been hampered by a hamstring injury, which has limited her to one tournament since the U.S. Open. The two latest qualifiers for the eight-player singles field are Patty Schnyder of Switzerland and Nadia Petrova of Russia.

-- Lisa Dillman

James Blake needed only 59 minutes to defeat Olivier Rochus of Belgium, 6-4, 6-3, in the first round of the Paris Masters.

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MISCELLANY

Announcer’s Memorial Set for Today in Oakland

A memorial service for Bill King, the longtime voice of the Oakland Raiders, will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Arena in Oakland. King died Oct. 18 of complications after hip surgery. He was 78.

-- Larry Stewart