Parents Of Miami Guard Killed In Traffic Accident

LAS VEGAS - The parents and sister of Brian Shaw, Miami Heat guard, were killed and an infant girl injured in an auto accident early yesterday on the city's outskirts, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Charles Shaw, 52, apparently fell asleep at the wheel of the family's jeep at about 5:15 a.m. on Interstate 15 about nine miles south of the city limits.

Shaw, his wife, Barbara, 51, and daughter Monica, 24, all were ejected from the jeep. The women were pronounced dead at the scene, said Steve Harney, public-information officer for the highway patrol.

Charles Shaw was airlifted to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he died from his injuries about an hour later.

An infant girl, Brianna, whose relationship to the Shaw family was not immediately clear, was riding in a child restraint seat and survived. She was hospitalized in good condition last night.

The family, from Richmond, Calif., apparently was traveling to visit Brian Shaw, who has a home in the Las Vegas area, Harney said. The player was at the hospital with the child.

Brian Shaw was a first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics in 1988 and spent two seasons there before being traded to Miami midway through the 1991-92 season. His 7.3 scoring average last season was his lowest in four NBA seasons.

Shaw attended the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The Miami Heat media guide lists Shaw's father as the person Shaw found most inspirational in his life.

OWENS TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY

OAKLAND, Calif. - Billy Owens, the most enticing trade bait the Warriors have dangled in their attempt to get a big man, will undergo surgery tomorrow on his right knee to remove cartilage torn in an informal scrimmage Friday.

"He was just playing and scrimmaging and came up limp," said assistant coach Donn Nelson. "He continued to play. . . . It's definitely a tough blow."

Owens on Friday underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test that revealed the damage to the cartilage.

The 6-foot-9 Owens appeared in just 37 games with the Warriors the past season because of trouble with his knees. He averaged 16.5 points per game.

PHOENIX FANS HOLD PARADE

PHOENIX - An estimated 175,000 Phoenix Suns fans jammed the city's downtown area to salute their team, which posted the NBA's best record but lost to the Chicago Bulls in the championship series.

Charles Barkley, the league's most valuable player in his first year with Phoenix, sent the crowd into a frenzy by saying the Suns should win their first NBA title next season.

"I did not come here to be a runner-up," said Barkley, who was obtained a year ago from the Philadelphia 76ers. "I expected a day like this but I also expected us to win the championship. We'll show them next year. We can't wait until next year."

SONIC DRAFT PARTY PLANNED

The SuperSonics will hold an NBA draft-day party, dubbed, "Set the Pick II," at the Seattle Center Coliseum Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Admission is free for the event, which will feature TNT's live coverage of the draft, the Sonic dance team, team mascot Squatch and local radio personalities. Michael Cage and Eddie Johnson are also scheduled to attend.

The Sonics hold the 23rd pick in the first round and the 19th (42nd overall) selection in the second round.

In addition, there will be a "prediction pit" in which fans will guess which player each team will draft.