Thomas hired as coach at Florida International

Isiah Thomas is back in coaching, and Florida International wound up as his surprising destination.

The former New York Knicks president and coach was hired to take over FIU’s program Tuesday, a move that gives the Hall of Fame player a chance to revive his career. Financial terms of his five-year contract weren’t immediately released. A news conference was planned for today.

Thomas helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships as a point guard, then coached the Indiana Pacers before taking over in New York, where an array of problems marred his tenure. He has never coached at the college level.

Undeterred, FIU moved quickly to lock up its top choice for the job.

“I think we can get good players from across Florida and around the country to buy into our plan to make this a top-tier basketball program,” Thomas said in a statement released by the school. “I’m committed to growing something here, and strongly believe that over time, we’ll put a team on the floor that everyone at FIU can be proud of.”

Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet will give up his final year of eligibility and make himself available for the NBA draft. . . . Assistant Chris Mack will succeed Sean Miller as Xavier’s head basketball coach, a school spokesman said.

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TENNIS

Erving watches daughter play

Julius Erving watched his daughter Alexandra Stevenson play tennis for the first time in a first-round loss at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C.

Erving watched from the porch of the players’ clubhouse as Stevenson lost on clay to Akul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, 6-2, 6-4.

It has been a decade since the 28-year-old Stevenson learned that Dr. J was her father, about the time she made the Wimbledon semifinals.

“We were never in a bad place, I just didn’t know him,” Stevenson said. “So it’s good now.”

Also, top-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia, ranked No. 3 in the world, overpowered American Julie Ditty, 6-0, 6-2.

Third-seeded Novak Djokovic and No. 4 Andy Murray each won in straight sets to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco. Djokovic cruised in a 6-1, 6-2 win against Oscar Hernandez of Spain, while Murray began slowly before easing past Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 6-2.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Sparks sign Betty Lennox to deal

The Sparks signed former All-Star guard and 2000 WNBA rookie of the year Betty Lennox, the team said. Terms were not disclosed.

-- Mark Medina

Fresh from leading Connecticut to the NCAA championship and a perfect season, Geno Auriemma is set to become coach of the U.S. women’s team through the 2012 Olympics, the Associated Press reported.

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ETC.

Kalas died from heart disease

Autopsy results show that longtime Phillies’ TV and radio broadcaster Harry Kalas died from heart disease.

A spokeswoman at the Washington D.C. chief medical examiner’s office said Kalas, who died Monday, had high blood pressure and suffered from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Jim France, son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., will step down June 1 as head of the largest operator of NASCAR tracks. Lesa France Kennedy, granddaughter of NASCAR’s founder, will move from president to chief executive officer of International Speedway Corp.

Four local high school players and a coach have been selected for the USA Football Junior National Team that will participate in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio, from June 27-July 5.

The United States team is composed of 36 seniors, including wide receivers Kevin Cummings of Encino Crespi and Noel Grigsby of Los Angeles Crenshaw, cornerback J.R. McConico of Venice and kicker Mike Loftus of Anaheim Servite. Ed Croson, coach of West Hills Chaminade, will coach the offensive line.