Laron Profit

Moves Baseball ASTROS: Sent P Jeremy Griffiths outright to Triple-A Round Rock. Purchased contracts of P Jared Gothreaux, P Wandy Rodriguez and OF Luke Scott from Round Rock, P Mark McLemore from Single-A Salem and P Juan Gutierrez from Rookie-level Greeneville. ATHLETICS: Purchased contracts of C John Baker and P Chris Mabeus from Triple-A Sacramento, C Jeremy Brown from Double-A Midland and OF Jason Perry from Single-A Modesto. BLUE JAYS: Purchased contracts of P Vince Perkins, P Ismael Ramirez, IF Raul Tablado and OF Miguel Negron from Single-A Dunedin and 3B John Hattig from Double-A New Hampshire.

COLLEGE PARK -- Laron Profit used to dribble just to dribble. Behind-the-back dribbles, crossover dribbles, anything to be flashy and noticed.He used to stare a lot, too. "A vicious stare," he called it. Like when he'd block another player's shot, or throw down a thunderous dunk.Then there was the talking trash-talking, actually. "I talked loudly," Profit said. And often, apparently.That was the old Laron Profit, the pre-Maryland Profit. Hardly recognizable from the still-flamboyant freshman who has made his mark in Maryland's run to an NCAA tournament date Friday in Tempe, Ariz.

COLLEGE PARK -- Before a national audience at the McDonald's All-American basketball game in St. Louis two weeks ago, Louis Bullock probably had his worst shooting performance, hitting only one of nine from the field.But Bullock, a 6-foot-2 guard from Laurel Baptist and Maryland's top high school boys player, didn't disappoint a crowd of 11,828 at Cole Field House on Thursday night for the 22nd Capital Classic, scoring a record 40 points for the Capital All-Stars, which lost to the U.S. All-Stars, 124-121, in overtime.

Et ceteraMarylander Coley wants his shot at TrinidadDerrell "Too Sweet" Coley (34-1-2, 24 knockouts) of Capitol Heights, the World Boxing Council's No. 1-ranked welterweight contender, will hold a national teleconference today in an effort to force a mandatory opportunity against World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation champion Felix Trinidad (36-0, 30 KOs).Trinidad is coming off his unification victory in Las Vegas over Oscar De La Hoya (31-1, 25 KOs). Coley and his promoter, Dan Goossen, are trying to block any plans by Trinidad that may not include Coley.

COLLEGE PARK -- It was almost a year ago today that Maryland's Rodney Elliott made his second collegiate start, against American University. Fresh off a career-high 15 points against Rider the previous week, he had earned a place in the Terrapins' lineup.He didn't stay there.Elliott started six straight games, then gave way to freshman Obinna Ekezie and returned to a reserve role, which he filled the remainder of the season. And when No. 25 Maryland plays American today at Cole Field House, the Dunbar alumnus again will be coming off the bench.

COLLEGE PARK -- The advice Maryland coach Gary Williams gave to Laron Profit before last night's game against North Carolina State was short, simple and to the point."

COLLEGE PARK -- The advice Maryland coach Gary Williams gave to Laron Profit before last night's game against North Carolina State was brilliant in its simplicity."

Steve Francis was back at practice yesterday, but that doesn't mean he'll be back in the Orlando Magic's starting lineup tonight against the Washington Wizards. Magic coach Brian Hill said he was undecided about Francis, the former Maryland star, regaining his starting role immediately, hinting that second-year point guard Jameer Nelson may replace him. Francis missed the previous two games - both losses on a West Coast trip - after being suspended by the team for his refusal to re-enter a game in the final minutes against the Seattle SuperSonics last week.

When he left his Philadelphia house for Simon Gratz High School yesterday morning, Terrell Stokes didn't know whether he was going to Maryland or Temple. A news conference to announce his choice of college had been called for 1 p.m."I told him we were going to givehim until the end of second period or the press conference was going to be canceled," Bill Ellerbee, his coach, would say later.It already had been put off twice, from Monday until Wednesday and then again on Wednesday. The speculation was that the longer it took, the more likely it was that Stokes would wind up staying home in Philadelphia to play at Temple.