Bryant still missing from US team roster

Bryant still missing from US team roster\nRay Allen, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd and Tracy McGrady were the first four players chosen Thursday for the 2004 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team, with Kobe Bryant conspicuously absent.\nThe long-awaited roster was announced in Colorado Springs, Colo., by USA Basketball, which also issued a statement regarding Bryant's absence.\n"Kobe Bryant has indicated to the USA Basketball Senior Team Committee that he is very interested in participating on the Senior National Team," the national team organizing committee said.\n"He has been extended an offer to play for the USA Senior National Team, however, he has yet to sign the standard USA Basketball player contract. USA Basketball remains hopeful that he will be added to the roster at a future date."\nBryant said last month he plans to play on the team, which will compete in the Americas zone qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in late August.\nIf the Americans finish among the top three at the qualifier, they will earn a trip to Athens for the 2004 Olympics.\nMets kure Cone out of retirement\nNEW YORK -- David Cone will attempt a comeback with the New York Mets, signing a minor league contract Thursday.\nThe 40-year-old right-hander, who won the 1994 Cy Young Award and threw a perfect game in 1999, was out of baseball last season.\nHe pitched for the Mets from 1987-92, going 80-48. His career mark is 193-123 with a 3.44 ERA with the Mets, Yankees, Royals, Blue Jays and Red Sox. A five-time All-Star, Cone ranks 17th in major league history with 2,655 strikeouts.\nCone last pitched in 2001, going 9-7 with a 4.31 ERA in 25 starts for Boston.\nHe was an analyst for the Yankees' YES network last season and had been expected to do so again. His perfect game came with the Yankees, and he won four World Series titles with them. Cone also won a championship with the Blue Jays in 1992.\nSanders, Ware lead 83 Hall of Fame candidates\nMORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Heisman Trophy winners Barry Sanders and Andre Ware lead a list of 83 candidates for the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.\nThere are 77 players and six coaches on the ballot, which will be distributed this week to more than 11,000 members of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The 2003 Hall of Fame class will be announced in March and inducted at the Foundation's awards dinner Dec. 9.\nTo be eligible for the ballot, players must have been chosen a first team All-American and played their last college game at least 10 years ago. Coaches must be out of the profession for at least three years, coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games and won at least 60 percent of their games.