Dikembe Mutombo's reputation as a champion of humanitarian causes appears in jeopardy as the former basketball star finds himself at the heart of a gold-smuggling scandal in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
The National Basketball Association and its players have reached a collective bargaining deal that may end a months-long lockout and pave the way for a new season starting on Christmas Day.
Basketball star Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets announced his retirement on Wednesday from his hometown of Shanghai, saying he would now focus on managing his Shanghai Sharks team and on promoting philanthropy in China.
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat 105-95 on Sunday to win their first-ever NBA championship, with Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki (pictured left) named the series' most valuable player.
One of basketball's most celebrated players, Shaquille O'Neal, has decided to hang up his trainers for good, announcing his retirement on Wednesday after a 19-year career which saw him take home four NBA titles.
Two-time NBA defending champion Los Angeles Lakers got swept out of the NBA playoffs by Dallas Mavericks, in the wake of a 122-86 defeat on Sunday which sealed a 4-0 defeat in the Western Conference semi-finals.
29-year-old Spanish forward Pau Gasol has signed a new three-year contract extension to remain with the defending NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal will keep Gasol on the team through the 2013-2014 season.
German NBA veteran Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, and the 21-years-old French rookie Rodrigue Beaubois added 14 to lift Dallas to a 95-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
