Lexington, KY ? Kentucky freshman guard John Wall practiced with his teammates in front of students on Friday after a report that the highly touted guard might not be eligible to play.

The workout on campus was open to students, but reporters were not allowed to attend. Some students attending said coach John Calipari didn’t discuss Wall’s eligibility during remarks before the practice. Calipari did tweet about the crowd and his new book.

Wall is among three freshmen expected to start for the Wildcats when their season opens Nov. 13 against Morehead State. Kentucky was picked to win the SEC during the conference’s media day Thursday.

But Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive told ESPN.com on Thursday the NCAA’s agents and amateurism group is looking into the eligibility of Wall. ESPN.com reported that Wall’s AAU coach, Brian Clifton, was a certified agent from 2007-2008.

Under NCAA rules, that would be considered accepting illegal benefits. If the benefits are more than $101, a student-athlete has to repay the value of the benefits and be subject to suspension for at least 10 percent of the team’s regular-season games.

School spokeswoman Kathy Johnson said Friday that the university would have no further comment. Kentucky spokesman DeWayne Peevy said all players are considered eligible unless otherwise noted.

Brad Opar, a freshman from Pittsburgh, called Friday’s session a “serious practice with lots of drills.”

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Indiana donors pay Knight

Bloomington, Ind. — Private donors are giving $75,000 to Bob Knight to settle a lawsuit he filed against Indiana University claiming it didn’t properly defend him when he was sued by a former assistant coach.

A letter signed by lawyers for the university and Knight says the payment offer from anonymous donors would reimburse the former coach for expenses from the lawsuit by former Knight assistant Ron Felling.

NBA

Refs ratify agreement

New York — The NBA and its referees union have reached agreement on a two-year contract, ending a lockout of more than a month. The officials approved the deal that was reached earlier this week in a vote Friday night. No details of the vote were provided, nor were terms of the agreement.

The referees will have a training camp this weekend and be ready when the regular season starts Tuesday. The league had been using replacement officials during exhibition play.

Wizards’ Jamison ailing

Washington — Antawn Jamison’s ailing shoulder will take much longer to heal than expected — keeping him off the court well into the regular season. The Washington Wizards revised their estimated recovery time for Jamison’s injury Friday, announcing he’s likely to miss eight to 13 games in the regular season.

Rockets release Barry

Houston — The Houston Rockets have waived guard Brent Barry, a move that trims their roster to the required 15 players. The 6-foot-7 Barry signed as a free agent with the Rockets before last season and averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 assists in 56 games.

NFL

Ochocinco fined $10,000

New York — Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for a uniform violation. The Cincinnati wideout was fined for wearing the wrong colored chin strap (black) during the Bengals’ loss to Houston last Sunday. Also fined $10,000 was Tennessee Titans safety Chris Hope for roughing-the-passer against New England in a 59-0 loss during which Tom Brady threw for six touchdowns.

Redskins’ Zorn staying

Ashburn, Va. — The front office says Jim Zorn will remain Washington Redskins coach “for the rest of this season and hopefully into the future.” Executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato gave Zorn the vote of confidence on a radio show on ESPN980 Friday morning.

Speculation has been rampant about Zorn’s future following the Redskins’ 2-4 start.

AUTO RACING

Newman claims pole

Martinsville, Va. — Ryan Newman is hoping he can finish where he starts when the second half of NASCAR’s Chase for the championship gets going Sunday at Martinsville. Newman earned his 45th career pole on Friday.

Jeff Gordon qualified second while teammate and points leader Jimmie Johnson qualified 15th.

GOLF

Ex-OSU player shares lead

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Rickie Fowler is making his presence felt in a hurry as a professional golfer. The 20-year-old former Oklahoma State standout, in his second PGA Tour event since turning pro, shared the lead with Englishman Greg Owen halfway through the Frys.com Open on Friday. Both shot 6-under 64s in the second round in ideal conditions on the Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club to reach 11-under 129.

Clearwater, Cochran tied

San Antonio — Champions Tour rookies Keith Clearwater and Russ Cochran shot 5-under 66s to share the first-round lead in the AT&T Championship. Tom Kite, looking for his first home-state win as a professional, was a stroke back along with fellow Texan Ben Crenshaw, Mark O’Meara and Andy Bean.

Allenby tied at top

Castellon, Spain — Australia’s Robert Allenby shot a 5-under 66 for a share of the lead with Germany’s Martin Kaymer in the suspended second round of the Castello Masters Costa Azahar. Sergio Garcia was a stroke back with three holes left.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Coach charged with threat

Lakeland, Fla. — An assistant high school football coach in Florida has been charged with threatening a player with a pocket knife.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says Christopher Michael Campbell pointed the knife at one of the Kathleen High School players during practice Wednesday. No one was injured. Campbell was arrested the next day.

Authorities say the 30-year-old Lakeland man later admitted to the school’s athletic director that he took a knife to practice and told players, “Don’t try me today.”