Saunders will return as Pistons coach

Flip Saunders will be back as coach of the Detroit Pistons next season, an NBA official with knowledge of the team’s plans said Monday night.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Pistons haven’t made an announcement, said bringing the coach back for a third season is part of Detroit’s retooling plan.

Though many believe the Pistons could make significant changes this off-season and some have suggested a fourth coach in six years for the franchise, Saunders said he “absolutely” expects to return. “That’s never been a question.”

Earlier in the day, the Pistons cleaned out their lockers in Auburn Hills, Mich., and met briefly, two days after Cleveland eliminated them in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

“It’s still disappointing to all of us the way the season ended,” Saunders said. “We had some success during the process of the season, but we didn’t get to our goal of winning a championship.”

Saunders’ future ultimately will be decided by Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who has declined to comment since the season ended Saturday night.

Richard Hamilton and Chris Webber were the only no-shows at the gathering, which was not mandatory.

The Orlando Magic has renewed its coaching search amid the expectation that Billy Donovan will soon begin maneuvers to break a five-year, $27.5-million contract signed last week, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Donovan, 42, wants to return to a Florida team he led to the last two NCAA championships. Orlando, however, was still trying to get Donovan to reconsider, with owner Rich DeVos calling the coach, the Sentinel reported.

Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said he had been advised to not discuss the situation.

The Magic has now contacted former Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy and San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo about replacing the fired Brian Hill, the Sentinel said.

JURISPRUDENCE

Woman arrested in Porter’s death

A St. Paul, Minn., woman was arrested in connection with the beating death of former NBA player and Villanova star Howard Porter. The 33-year-old woman was arrested Sunday night, according to St. Paul police spokesman Tom Walsh.

“Beyond that, we’re not commenting a great deal on the extent of the investigation or her exact involvement,” Walsh said. “Charges are going to be forwarded to the county attorney” today.

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau was charged in Lebanon, Ind., with refusing to give police officers a list of teenagers attending a weekend party at his home involving underage drinking.

Officers arrested Trudeau and 13 teenagers early Saturday after complaints about a loud party.

MISCELLANY

Tennessee beats Arizona in softball finals Game 1

Monica Abbott threw her fourth straight shutout, and Tennessee got home runs from Alexia Clay and Shannon Doepking to beat defending champion Arizona, 3-0, at Oklahoma City in the opening game of the best-of-three Women’s College World Series finals.

Abbott, who holds NCAA records for wins, strikeouts and shutouts in a career, fanned eight and extended her shutout streak to 33 2/3 innings.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Magnus Johansson, a veteran of the Swedish Elite League.

The 33-year-old Johansson appeared in 52 games for Linkoping HC, scoring eight goals and getting 28 assists.

In nine seasons in the Swedish league, Johansson has appeared in 440 games, with 86 goals, 167 assists and 226 penalty minutes.

Sacramento Monarchs forward DeMya Walker will miss the rest of the season after tearing a tendon in her right knee. Walker was injured in the first quarter of Saturday’s victory over the Sparks.

Georgetown center Roy Hibbert was one of 30 collegians invited by USA Basketball to tryouts for the U.S. team that will compete in next month’s Pan-American Games.

Veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams, who played last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, signed with Denver. The 335-pound Adams won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens after the 2000 season and played in the title game with Oakland two years later.... The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed running back Verron Haynes to a one-year contract.

PASSINGS

Clete Boyer, 70; former Yankees third baseman

Clete Boyer, the third baseman for the champion New York Yankees teams of the 1960s, died in Atlanta. He was 70. Story, Section B.