Sports briefs 5/12/04

Basketball

LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion will be invited to join the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, sources told The Associated Press. The USA Basketball Selection committee held a conference call Tuesday to choose several replacement players on a roster that will be missing several of the best American players. Three sources with knowledge of the selection committee's actions, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. federation had decided to add the 19-year-old James, the NBA's Rookie of the Year, as the likely replacement at shooting guard for Kobe Bryant. Marbury was added to replace Jason Kidd, who has indicated he'll likely withdraw, and Marion will provide depth at forward with Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone not expected to participate.

Hockey

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Derian Hatcher was suspended for next season's first three games by the NHL for elbowing an opponent in the head during the Western Conference semifinals. Hatcher hit Calgary Flames forward Matthew Lombardi in the first period of Detroit's 1-0 overtime loss in Game 6 last week. There was no penalty on the play, and Lombardi finished the game. Because the Red Wings were eliminated from the playoffs in that game, Hatcher's suspension will come at the start of the 2004-05 season.

Tennis

Serena Williams won her first match after a month off with a knee injury, beating Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Italian Open's third round. Also, French Open champion Mary Pierce beat Argentine qualifier Gisela Dulko 6-1, 6-4, Croatian teen Karolina Sprem eliminated Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-2, and No. 13-seeded Conchita Martinez defeated Yuliana Fedak 6-1, 6-1.

-- From wire reports