USA TODAY's Cover Story profiles Duke Univ. men's
basketball F SHANE BATTIER, and Jill Lieber writes that
Battier "has blossomed into one of the most visible,
powerful and important role models in college athletics." He
is "scheduled to graduate on time" with an A-minus average
and a degree in religion. Battier, who chairs the Student
Basketball Council, "hasn't been afraid to take
controversial positions or criticize the NCAA. ... He has
called for the organization to compensate players with
something more than their scholarships" (USA TODAY, 11/22).
NAMES: In Chicago, Lacy Banks reports that Bulls F RON
ARTEST has dropped agent MITCH FRANKEL and hired MARK
BARTELSTEIN. Artest: "It's not because of anything Frankel
did wrong. It's just that he's in New York, and Mark is in
Chicago where I am. That makes it more convenient for us to
work together" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/22)....FSN's KEITH
OLBERMANN, boxer LENNOX LEWIS, Mavs Owner MARK CUBAN and
Mets 1B TODD ZEILE will be the guests on ABC's "POLITICALLY
INCORRECT" tomorrow (THE DAILY)....In S.F., Chip Johnson
reported that the Raiders have published "JUST COOK, BABY!"
a cookbook with recipes from players, coaches and staff.
The 87-page book is the "brainchild" of CINDY GRUDEN, wife
of head coach JON GRUDEN, and will benefit the BOYS AND
GIRLS CLUBS OF OAKLAND and the TRACEY BILETNIKOFF
FOUNDATION, a substance abuse program for teens (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 11/21)....In N.Y., Mitchell Fink reports that
ANNA KOURNIKOVA was at the ESPNZone Monday to unveil a new
Omega billboard of herself in Times Square. Sources say
Kournikova will become the first female athlete ever to
appear on the cover of Maxim (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/22).
