
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995                   TAG: 9510050065
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NBA TOP PICK

Sure, his contract is small compared with the huge deals signed by No.1 picks of the recent past. But Joe Smith figures more than $8 million for three years will be plenty to live on comfortably.

Smith, a Maryland alumnus and the top pick in June's NBA draft, signed with Golden State on Wednesday and immediately joined other Warriors at a minicamp workout.

Under the new salary scale for NBA rookies, the top draft pick is limited to a three-year deal worth $7.11 million to $8.53 million. Smith, of Norfolk, reportedly got the maximum.

In other NBA news:

Longwood College alumnus Jerome Kersey was waived by the Toronto Raptors to save $4.1 million in salary obligations for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, guard Damon Stoudamire, the seventh pick overall in June's NBA draft, is expected to sign today.

Kersey, a veteran forward chosen from the Portland Trail Blazers in June's expansion draft, was the most expensive player on the Raptors' roster.

NFL officials not suspended

The Associated Press erroneously reported Oct.3 the NFL suspended two officials for an incorrect call made during Pittsburgh's 44-24 loss to Minnesota on Sept.24.

The league fined line judge Ben Montgomery and referee Gordon McCarter the equivalent of one game's paycheck, but the officials will not miss a game.

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB