Vin Scully chosen to be Rose Parade grand marshal

Famed Dodgers play-by-play broadcaster Vin Scully will be the grand marshal of the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, officials announced Thursday.

Appearing in front of the Tournament of Roses House, Scully — who recently announced plans to call games for the Dodgers for a record 65th season — said he was honored to be chosen.

“All my life I’ve been enamored with the roar of the crowd,” he said.

Scully, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame broadcasters’ wing in 1982, will be leading the 125th Rose Parade through Pasadena on Jan. 1 in front of a worldwide audience of millions.

Scully referred to the Dodgers’ fans in his speech, saying they’ve been “so good, so supportive, so friendly” of the team over the years. And this year, given the team’s dominance in the National League West, he expected the cheering to be especially loud.

“Timing, they say, is everything,” he said.

—Jason Wells

ETC.

Auriemma to coach in Rio

Geno Auriemma will return to coach the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.

USA Basketball will discuss the move at a news conference Friday in Connecticut. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment of the Connecticut coach had not been announced.

Auriemma will be the first repeat coach for the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team, which has won a gold medal at the last five Games. Mike Krzyzewski decided in May he would return to coach the men a third time.

::

The Lakers have signed free agent Xavier Henry, adding depth at shooting guard as they prepare for training camp.

Henry, 22, averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.3 assists while making 36.4% of his three-point shots last season for New Orleans. The 12th overall pick in the 2010 draft, the 6-foot-6 guard has career averages of 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists.

—Ben Bolch

::

The Clippers have signed forward Brandon Davies to a partially guaranteed contract for training camp.

Davies, who went undrafted this summer after a four-year career at Brigham Young, averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes for the Clippers’ summer league team.

—Ben Bolch

::

An American Indian tribe in upstate New York said it will launch a radio ad campaign pressing for the Washington Redskins to shed a name often criticized as offensive.

The Oneida Indian Nation said the first ad will run on radio stations in Washington before the team plays host to the Philadelphia Eagles in its season opener Monday night.

::

Detroit Lions rookie Ziggy Ansah was able to practice Thursday, a sign that his recovery from a concussion may be progressing.

Ansah, a defensive end, took part in drills during the portion of practice that was open to reporters.

::

Safety Ed Reed could play when the Houston Texans open the season at San Diego on Monday night after he returned to practice this week as he recovers from hip surgery.

::

Anirban Lahiri of India shot eight-under-par 63 for a two-stroke lead in the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, and 13-year-old Ye Wo-cheng of China finished with a 78.

::

The Calgary Flames hired Brian Burke as their president of hockey operations.

Burke was fired as president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in January.

He has been working as a part-time scout with the Ducks since February.

::

Early University of Dayton basketball hero and NBA player Don Meineke died at age 82 after a long illness.

Meineke led the Flyers to their first 20-win season and first NIT appearance. In 1953, he was the first NBA rookie of the year as a member of the Fort Wayne Pistons.