NHL: Isles send Okposo to Bridgeport

Top prospect Kyle Okposo will begin his career in the Islanders organization with Bridgeport of the AHL. Fresh off a solid run in the world junior tournament, he was assigned yesterday by the Islanders to their top minor league affiliate. He will practice with the Sound Tigers on Thursday and make his debut at Binghamton on Friday. Okposo’s first AHL home game will be Saturday against Springfield.

* Flyers forward Joffrey Lupul was expected miss at least two weeks because of a spinal cord contusion and a mild concussion. Lupul collided with teammate Darien Hatcher in Philadelphia’s 3-2 win over Toronto on Saturday and spent the night in the hospital.

ARRESTED: Rider jailed in California

Former NBA star Isaiah Rider was in custody yesterday on outstanding arrest warrants after Berkeley (Calif.) police responded to a report of a disturbance between a taxi driver and a passenger. Officers arrived on the scene to find the passenger was the 36-year-old Rider. They arrested him on a no-bail warrant issued by Oakland police for unlawful firearm possession and another warrant for grand theft.

TENNIS: Nadad upset in India

Rafael Nadal, fatigued from a nearly 4-hour match the previous day, was routed by fourth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-0, 6-1 yesterday in the final of the Chennai (India) Open.

FOOTBALL: Jones mulls SMU offer

June Jones is trying to decide whether to accept an offer to coach SMU or return to Hawaii, where the governor is among those trying to keep him. Jones, who turns 55 next month, has gone 75-41 at Hawaii, including 4-2 in bowls.

* Central Florida running back Kevin Smith, the nation’s leading rusher this season, changed his mind and will turn pro, the school confirmed yesterday.