New York ? The NBA’s free agency period has opened, with LeBron James leading perhaps the deepest group of players to ever hit the open market. Teams could begin making their pitches at 12:01 a.m. EDT today, and some were getting started quickly.

Atlanta’s Joe Johnson was expecting immediate visits in Los Angeles from the Hawks and New York Knicks, with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting that the Hawks were prepared to offer the All-Star shooting guard a maximum salary contract.

Things get interesting today, when the New Jersey Nets and Knicks are scheduled for visits to Ohio to meet with James, the two-time MVP who heads the class.

It includes other All-Stars such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer.

NBA

Suns’ Stoudemire opts out

Phoenix — Amare Stoudemire has opted out of the final year of his contract with the Phoenix Suns to become part of an illustrious list of free agents this season.

Agent Happy Walters said the five-time All-Star made the move Wednesday after talks with Suns owner Robert Sarver failed to result in an agreement on a contract extension. The last year of Stoudemire’s contract was worth about $17.7 million.

Cavs in ‘serious talks’ with Scott

Cleveland — The Cleveland Cavaliers are in “serious talks” with Byron Scott to be their coach, a person familiar with the team’s search told the Associated Press.

After completing interviews with several candidates, the Cavaliers have decided to “move in the Scott direction,” said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity.

College basketball

Don Meyer to receive Bunn Award

Springfield, Mass. — Don Meyer, second on the all-time wins list for all levels of men’s college basketball, has been selected to receive the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Meyer, whose 42-year coaching career ended last season at Division II Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D., finished with a 923-234 record. The NCAA considers Meyer the winningest men’s college basketball coach, even though his career was split between the NAIA and NCAA.

Illinois St. player guilty of sex charge

Bloomington, Ill. — An Illinois State basketball player has been sentenced to three years’ probation and dismissed from the university after pleading guilty to criminal sexual abuse.

Bobby Hill pleaded guilty to sexual contact with a girl younger than 16 and was sentenced Wednesday in McLean County Circuit Court. A criminal sexual assault charge was dismissed.

Softball

US, Japan stay unbeaten

Caracas, Venezuela — Jennie Finch hit a grand slam to lead the United States to a 16-1 victory against Canada and remain unbeaten in the world softball championships on Wednesday.

The United States and Japan, which beat Venezuela 2-0 earlier in the day, are both 8-0 heading into their matchup today in the double-elimination playoff phase of the tournament. Venezuela plays China today.

The finals are Friday, and Japan and the U.S. are the overwhelming favorites to play for the title. Japan defeated the United States in the final game in the 2008 Olympics to take gold.

Soccer

Aguirre resigns as Mexico coach

Mexico City — Javier Aguirre has quit as Mexico coach, three days after the national team was knocked out of the World Cup in a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the round of 16.

Aguirre said on Wednesday that he was “the person responsible” for the loss.

Nigeria’s president suspends team

Abuja, Nigeria — The president of Nigeria has suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after its poor showing at the World Cup.

The announcement by President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman Wednesday also follows corruption allegations which surrounded the team in the run-up to the tournament.

Nigeria got eliminated from the World Cup after the group stage, having earned just one point — in a 2-2 draw with South Korea in its last game.

Injured Elano to miss match

Johannesburg — Elano will not play for Brazil in Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands because of a right ankle injury, a team doctor said Wednesday.

Golf

Illini coach wins 2nd pro title

French Lick, Ind. — Mike Small won the PGA Professional National Championship for the record-trying third time, birdieing three of the final five holes Wednesday for a three-stroke victory over Sonny Skinner.

Small, the University of Illinois men’s coach, closed with a 1-over 73 on The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort to finish at 8 under.