ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603280021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and New York Daily News reports
Stephon Marbury told the New York Daily News in November that he would leave Georgia Tech for the NBA after his freshman year if he felt he would be one of the top five picks in the draft.
Now Donald Marbury Jr., one of his three older brothers, says Stephon has made up his mind.
``He's definitely coming out,'' Don Jr. told the newspaper Wednesday night. ``He told me [Tuesday]. That's what he wants to do. He said, `That's my dream. I just want to follow my dream.'''
Stephon Marbury led Georgia Tech (24-12) to the ACC regular-season title and an NCAA Tournament berth, averaging 18.9 points and 4.2 assists.
In other sports news:
Former Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola, attempting to make the Toronto Blue Jays as a non-roster invitee, was assigned to Class AA Knoxville (Tenn.) and Viola has agreed to the assignment.
Viola, one of the baseball's top pitchers in the late 1980s and early '90s, won the American League Cy Young Award in 1988, going 24-7 with Minnesota. He had surgery May 17, 1994, to repair a torn ligament in his left elbow.
Viola, who turns 36 on April 19, was 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in 1995 with Class AAA Indianapolis. He was called up to Cincinnati on Aug.26 and was 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA in three starts.
Reds second baseman Bret Boone was sent back to Cincinnati for further examination after X-rays found a bone chip in his throwing elbow. Trainer Greg Lynn said the exam will determine whether Boone can continue to play without surgery.
Former Ferrum College infielder Eric Owens, optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis on Tuesday, could be called up if Boone has to go on the disabled list or have surgery.
The main sponsor of the Tour DuPont says it may reroute the nation's premier cycling race around Cobb County, Ga., because of the area's controversial anti-gay resolution.
The county is scheduled to be the site of the final stages of the race, which race passes through Southwest Virginia, with stage finishes in the Roanoke Valley and Blacksburg.
``We blew it,'' said Kathy Forte, DuPont's director of public affairs. ``The right people didn't know. They did not become aware of this until after we had made verbal commitments.''
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB