DETROIT -- Jeff Bower is returning to the NBA, this time to join the front office of the Detroit Pistons. Detroit announced Tuesday that Bower had been hired as the teams new general manager, part of an off-season overhaul in which Stan Van Gundy was hired last month as the coach and team president. Bower was the coach at Marist College last season, but he resigned that position Monday. "Im excited to join the Pistons organization and play a role in helping this franchise build on its great basketball tradition," Bower said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Stan, his staff and everyone in the Pistons organization to put together a team that the community can support and be proud of. Im also excited about ownerships commitment to winning and their demonstrated commitment to the community." The Pistons called a news conference for Wednesday to introduce Bower. Bower has been a general manager and coach in the NBA, holding both those positions with the New Orleans Hornets in 2009-10. "Jeff brings great basketball knowledge and NBA experience to our organization and hes enjoyed success in building teams," Van Gundy said. "Hes a great evaluator of talent and Jeff will bring solid leadership to our front office." Bower was the general manager of the Hornets from 2001-03 and again from 2005-10. Marist went 12-19 this past season under Bower, which was a two-game improvement from 2012-13. "I have a lot of respect for Jeff and the job he did in his time at Marist," athletic director Tim Murray said. "He laid the foundation for the program moving forward and I feel that this is a great opportunity for our next head coach. I wish Jeff the best of luck as he leaves Marist for a very specific and compelling NBA opportunity." The Pistons went 29-53 last season, missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year. That was the end of Joe Dumars tenure as team president. Van Gundys coaching is well respected -- he went 371-208 in seven-plus seasons with Miami and Orlando -- but now hell have the added responsibility of handling personnel matters. Its rare for one person to have that much control in the NBA, so Bower may play an important role in shaping the franchises future. Larry Johnson Jersey . -- Crystal Webster avoided elimination at the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar Olympic pre-trial curling tournament with an 8-5 win over Amber Holland on Thursday. Charlotte Hornets Jerseys ." One game is checked off, 15 remain and the next one to get crossed out could come Tuesday night when the defending champion Heat host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Dell-Curry-Hornets-Jersey/ . Vonn "reopened" the idea of competing in the season-opening World Cup event on Oct. 26-27 in Soelden, Austria after returning to the slopes last month in Portillo, Chile. Malik Monk Hornets Jersey . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Bismack Biyombo Hornets Jersey .C. -- Duke sophomore Rodney Hood is entering the NBA draft. NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran is coming back to New York, this time to the Bronx. The All-Star outfielder and the Yankees agreed Friday to a $45 million, three-year contract, two people familiar with the deal said. Beltrans agreement came hours after second baseman Robinson Cano decided to leave for Seattle and on the same day pitcher Hiroki Kuroda agreed to return for 2014. Beltrans deal was detailed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was subject to a physical and had not yet been announced. The agreement was first reported by the New York Daily News. Beltran, 36, is an eight-time All-Star who played for the Mets from 2005-11, when he was dealt to San Francisco. He signned a $26 million, two-year contract with St.dddddddddddd. Louis before the 2012 season and reached the World Series for the first time this year. Slowed by knee injuries, Beltran has retained a potent bat -- especially in October. He hit .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for the Cardinals this year and added two homers and 15 RBIs in the post-season. Beltran injured ribs in the World Series opener when he banged into Fenway Parks right-fight fence while robbing Bostons David Ortiz of a grand slam. Beltran joins a crowded Yankees outfield. Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano are set to return, and Jacoby Ellsbury has a $153 million, seven-year deal pending. ' ' '