ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Al Cervi, a pro basketball star who coached the Syracuse Nationals to the 1955 NBA championship, has died in upstate New York at age 92.
The 5-foot-11-inch Cervi was one of the strongest backcourt players of the 1940s and 1950s. Nicknamed "Digger," he was the 1947 National Basketball League scoring champion and MVP as a guard for the Rochester Royals.
He became a player-coach for the Syracuse Nationals in 1948, continuing in that role after the team joined the NBA. He retired as a player in 1953 but coached the Nats until 1957.
He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
A Buffalo native, Cervi died at a hospice in Rochester on Monday.
The Anthony Funeral Chapel in Brighton, N.Y., says he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth; a son; two daughters; and four grandchildren. Full story
Shaq's wife files for divorce
LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal's wife is splitting from the Cleveland Cavaliers center.
Va'Shaundya O'Neal filed for legal separation with intent to divorce on Monday in Los Angeles. She cited irreconcilable differences.
She is seeking spousal and child support and full legal custody of the couple's four children. No monetary amounts were listed in the court filing.
The O'Neals were married for six years, 11 months.
Clippers' Gordon out 10 days
LOS ANGELES -- Clippers guard Eric Gordon will be out for at least 10 days with a sore left groin muscle.
Gordon is Los Angeles' second-leading scorer this season with 18.9 points per game. He was hurt in the fourth quarter of Saturday's victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, and he missed Monday's loss to New Orleans.
Rasual Butler took Gordon's place in the starting lineup against the Hornets, scoring 14 points. Gordon had played more than 38 minutes per game this season for the Clippers.
Los Angeles hosts Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
