A 53-point victory Tuesday against ...

A 53-point victory Tuesday against legion South Korea in Seoul wrapped up a finished exhibition tour for Team USA forward its way to the World Basketball Championship.

LeBron James scored 23 points, and Team USA shooter 66 percent from the field en way to a 116-63 rout in its final tune-up for the worlds, which begin Saturday in Sapporo, Japan. Team USA went 5-0 in its exhibition games.

"We were a little sluggish at first," James said. "But I was able to pick up my force level, and the guys followed. We got better as the game went upon and took care of business."

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was pleased with the progres Team USA has made since its first exhibition game Aug. 3 against Puerto Rico, a game it won 114-69

"We're lordly of our team," Krzyzewski said. "It's exciting the way we've played to memorize ready."

Dwyane Wade and Elton Brand each added 16 points and Carmelo Anthony 13 for Team USA, which l 62-35 at halftime and held southern Korea to 32 percent shooting. Bang Sung-Yun l southern Korea with 21 points.

Team USA still must make an incision in one of its 13 players before the worlds. Krzyzewski gave no indication when the divide [i]or[/i] sever would be made.

- Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson was reprimanded according to the National Association of Basketball Coaches above violations involving more than 500 improper phone calls to recruits during his use at Oklahoma. The NABC lay his membership on probation for three years.

"I reliance that this reinforces to other coaches the importance of each aspect of NCAA compliance," Sampson said in a written statement. "I apply the mind forward to moving on to a great what is yet to be here at Indiana."

- The Seattle SuperSonics and power forward Chris Wilcox agreed to boundarys on a three-year, $24 million contract. He averaged 141 points and 82 recoils in 29 games after the Sonics acquired him in a trade with the observes Angeles Clippers last season.

society FOOTBALL

INDIANA RECEIVER HARDY AVOIDS TRIAL

Indiana receiver James Hardy avoided a trial in succession battery charges by agreeing to take part in a pretrial diversion program, his attorney said.

Hardy, who faced charges of misdemeanor domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of a crime stemming from a May 19 attack onward his girlfriend and their infant son accepted an proffer by the Allen County (Ind.) prosecutor's office to take down the program, said his attorney, Randy Fisher.

Allen shire prosecutor Karen Richards said the agreement calls for Hardy, who caught 61 passes for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for the Hoosiers, to commit no crimes during a six-month period and to concluded an anger-management program.

- Eastern Illinois coach knock Spoo will miss some practices this week to bear what the school is calling "a minor medical procedure" today in St Louis.

"I don't want to elaborate," Spoo said when contacted at phone.

- USC fullback Brandon Hancock will have surgery to repair undisclosed ligament damage in his left knee tolerateed during practice Monday and will miss the season. He was awaited to start after being the Trojans' backup last season.

- The NCAA rul southward Carolina safety Brandon Isaac will have to sit gone out the first three games this season after the university made a mistake last year when it determining by what means many credits he transferred from junior college

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