Sports briefs

Memphis to sign high-scoring Iverson

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Allen Iverson will be a fan attraction for the Memphis Grizzlies — from the very beginning.

The Grizzlies confirmed Wednesday they have agreed in principle to a contract with Iverson, hours after the guard tweeted he was heading to Memphis. And the team scheduled a Thursday news conference open to the public at FedExForum.

Iverson would become the highest profile player ever to put on a Grizzlies' uniform.

"We anticipate signing him to a contract very soon," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants Iverson to provide a big-name attraction for a team that struggled to attract fans to the plush FedExForum to watch a young team rebuilding through the draft.

Songalia, Brown headed to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Hornets agreed to trade reserve point guard Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second-round draft pick to Minnesota on Wednesday in exchange for forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown.

The move will cut the Hornets' payroll by $1.3 million this season, but Songaila has two years left on his contract, while Daniels' contract expires after next season.

The Timberwolves take on a little more salary this season, but get out from under Songaila's player option for next year.

France gets help from NBA players to win

WARSAW, Poland — Ronny Turiaf had a double-double, and Tony Parker added 17 points Wednesday to help France beat defending champion Russia 69-64 and finish the group phase undefeated at the European basketball championship.

After carrying the French in their opening two games, Parker finally got some help Wednesday from Turiaf and Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw. Turiaf, the Golden State Warriors center, had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Diaw added 19 points and seven rebounds.

Russia has only three players from the team that upset Spain in the 2007 final and has clearly missed its two top players from that squad — Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko and J.R. Holden.

Dragila retires after second-place finish

PARIS — Former World and Olympic champion Stacy Dragila has ended her 14-year pole vaulting career with a second-place finish at the DecaNation track and field meet.