ORLANDO, Fla. — The fan who allegedly directed a racial slur at Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo was banned for the season Monday by the NBA and Orlando Magic.
Season-ticket holder Hooman Hamzehloui allegedly called Mutombo a "monkey" Thursday at a preseason game between the Rockets and the Magic. Mutombo — a native of Zaire, which is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo — yelled back at Hamzehloui and gestured from the court.
Hamzehloui was ejected from the game. The league said Hamzehloui is also barred from attending games at any NBA arena this season. Orlando said it will refund his season-ticket payment.
Mutombo said after the game he would go into the stands if it ever happened again but told Houston television station KRIV on Monday that he has already forgiven Hamzehloui.
"I will not say that I am happy about it," Mutombo said about the NBA's decision to ban Hamzehloui. "It is out of my hands. I have done my job. I have forgiven him.
"Whatever the commissioner and the league does, that's not my area."
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said no action was taken against Mutombo and the matter was closed.
Hamzehloui sent Mutombo a letter of apology obtained by The Associated Press. In it, he promised $5,000 to the charity of Mutombo's choice and vowed not to attend any games until the 7-foot-2 center gave his blessing.
"I am by no means a racist, and if you only knew me better you would never begin to have those thoughts," Hamzehloui wrote. "What I am guilty of is poor judgment in the use of words while doing what I do to many of the visiting team's players, 'heckle them."'
Hamzehloui asked to meet with Mutombo to apologize in person.
Mutombo told KRIV that Hamzehloui's promise to make a charitable donation "meant a lot" to him, but a personal apology was not necessary.
"I thoroughly respect you as a player and as a human being, and my only motivation when I have my fun at the games is to 'get under the player's skin' no matter what color that skin happens to be," Hamzehloui wrote.
A message was left seeking comment from Hamzehloui late Monday afternoon.
KNICKS, BROWN SETTLE: Larry Brown and the New York Knicks reached a settlement on the remainder of the fired coach's contract Monday night, a week before NBA commissioner David Stern was expected to rule on the dispute. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
RIDNOUR GETS EXTENSION: The Seattle SuperSonics and point guard Luke Ridnour have reached an agreement on a multiyear contract extension, the team said Monday. The Sonics had until Tuesday to sign Ridnour to an extension, otherwise the fourth-year point guard could have become a restricted free agent after this season.
HORNETS GIVE WEST EXTENSION: The New Orleans Hornets signed David West to a multiyear contract extension Monday, keeping their leading scorer from becoming a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
STOUDEMIRE READY: Two strong practices by Amare Stoudemire have Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni feeling optimistic about his big forward heading into Tuesday night's season opener against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Stoudemire pronounced himself ready for the opener.
"I feel great," he said Monday. "Today was another great day, it was better than yesterday, so tomorrow I should feel even better."
KNICKS WAIVE JALEN ROSE: Jalen Rose was waived Monday by the New York Knicks, leaving their roster one below the regular-season maximum of 15.
The 6-foot-8 guard/forward, a 12-year NBA veteran, was scheduled to make $16.9 million this season.
OTHER PLAYERS WAIVED: The Washington Wizards waived Mike Hall ... rookie James White and center John Edwards were cut Monday by the Indiana Pacers ... the Chicago Bulls waived center Luke Schenscher on Monday, reducing their roster to the NBA's 15-man regular-season limit ... veteran forward Darvin Ham was waived by the Nets.