BASKETBALL

WADE MAY NOT BE READY FOR HEAT CAMP

A few hundred people were crowded around Dwyane Wade yesterday, watching the standout Miami Heat guard take a ceremonial 16-footer to officially open a refurbished basketball court at a city park.

It’ll be a while before Heat fans see him attempt another shot. Although Wade said his rehabilitation from knee and shoulder operations is going well, the 2006 NBA finals MVP may not be ready to play when Miami opens training camp in early October — casting some doubt whether the Heat’s top scorer will be on the floor when the regular season begins.

GOLF

BALLESTEROS ENDS A CHARISMATIC CAREER

The Spanish eyes that came to life whenever Seve Ballesteros faced an impossible shot were soft and sad. The man who bounced on the balls of his feet when he won at St. Andrews sat calmly at a table to announce his career was over.

“I don’t have the desire,” Ballesteros said.

Ballesteros officially retired from golf yesterday, ending a charismatic run filled with spectacular shots that carried him to a record 50 victories on the European Tour, five major championships and a Ryder Cup career that helped Europe shed its underdog image.

TENNIS

FEDERER, NADAL, BRYAN TWINS CLINCH MASTERS CUP BERTHS

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal already have clinched berths in the eight-player Tennis Masters Cup singles tournament. Twins Bob and Mike Bryan have secured a spot in the doubles portion of the November 11–18 event, which will be held in Shanghai for the third consecutive year.

The top-ranked Federer, who won the season-ending tournament in 2003, 2004 and 2006, is 36–5 this year with four titles, including at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. No. 2 Nadal leads the tour with 51 match wins and five titles, including at the French Open.

HORSE RACING

BELMONT-WINNING FILLY HAS FEVER, WILL MISS NEXT START

Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches has a slight fever and won’t run in Saturday ‘s $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks. The 3-year-old filly sensation was expected to be the overwhelming favorite in her first race since becoming the first of her sex to win the Belmont in 102 years.

“We’re going to pass on the Oaks,” Rags to Riches trainer Todd Pletcher said yesterday morning of the Grade 1 race for fillies. “Her temperature was 101 degrees — not high but a little beyond normal range.”

Pletcher was disappointed but optimistic his filly would be ready for her next start in the Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 18, against other fillies. Instead of a scheduled timed workout yesterday, Rags to Riches simply galloped around Belmont Park.

BASEBALL

INDIANS GIVE MANAGER WEDGE 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

Eric Wedge wasn’t too worried about his future. The Cleveland Indians put him at ease anyway.

The fifth-year manager, who has yet to make the postseason in the majors, received a three-year contract extension on Monday, an early reward for having his ballclub near the top in the AL Central.

BREWERS PLACE SHEETS ON 15-DAY DISABLED LIST

The Milwaukee Brewers placed pitcher Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a sprained finger on his pitching hand.