Thomas’ court case underway

New York Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas and a former team executive who claims he subjected her to unwanted sexual advances appeared in federal court Monday as jury selection began in her $10-million sexual harassment lawsuit.

Thomas and his accuser, Anucha Browne Sanders, sat stoically within a few feet of each other, both flanked by teams of lawyers.

A list of possible witnesses read aloud included Knicks players Stephon Marbury and Malik Rose.

Eight jurors were to be selected for a trial expected to begin with opening statements today and last three weeks, meaning a verdict could come just before the Knicks open training camp for the 2007-08 season.

Browne Sanders, a former Northwestern basketball star and a married mother of three, wants reinstatement to her job as senior vice president of marketing and business operations. She’s also seeking damages after spending five years with the franchise.

The plaintiff contends she was fired in January 2006 “for telling the truth” while going through internal channels to stop alleged harassment by Thomas, also the team’s president for basketball operations. Madison Square Garden, which owns the team, insisted her dismissal was because she “failed to fulfill professional responsibilities.”

Thomas has acknowledged that in December 2005 he tried to kiss Browne Sanders on the cheek at a Knicks game and asked “No love today?” when she pulled away, according to a recounting of claims by the judge. But the Knicks coach has disputed her allegations that he said he loved her and asked her to “go off-site” with him.

Onetime NFL player and former Fox Sports broadcaster Bill Maas, 45, was charged with drug possession and weapons offenses stemming from a July roadside safety check in Illinois. A hearing was set for Oct. 10.

PRO BASKETBALL

Oden might have cartilage damage in his right knee

Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery this week because of pain in his right knee.

An MRI exam last week showed Oden might have some cartilage problems, General Manager Kevin Pritchard said.

A timetable for Oden’s return will be set after the surgery, scheduled to take place Thursday in Vancouver, Wash.

Lithuania limited Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs to 11 points and defeated three-time champion France, 88-73, to remain one of two unbeaten teams at the European Basketball Championship in Madrid.

Also in Group F, Marco Belinelli scored six of his 17 points in overtime to help Italy eliminate Turkey, 84-75.

Like Lithuania, Slovenia is 5-0 after a 77-47 win over Germany, which got 16 points from Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.

The Denver Nuggets sent forward Reggie Evans and the draft rights to forward Ricky Sanchez to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for swingman Steven Hunter and forward Bobby Jones.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Source: Long to become Arkansas athletic director

Pittsburgh Athletic Director Jeff Long will replace Frank Broyles, who is retiring at the end of the year from the same position at Arkansas, a person with knowledge of Long’s decision said on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made.

Arkansas would not confirm Long’s hiring, but a school spokesman said a news conference had been set for today regarding the athletic program.

Injured Michigan quarterback Chad Henne will not play against Notre Dame on Saturday and will be replaced by freshman Ryan Mallett, Coach Lloyd Carr said.

Antonio Taylor, Utah State’s leading tackler after two games, was suspended for the season for an unspecified violation of team rules, ending his career with the Aggies. . . . Louisville safety Latarrius Thomas will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn knee ligament suffered against Middle Tennessee.

PASSINGS

Stepien, former owner of Cleveland Cavaliers

Former Cleveland Cavaliers owner Ted Stepien, whose propensity for trading away draft picks resulted in an NBA rule change, died at his home in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. He was 82. See story in Section B.