The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Summer vacation is over for LeBron James. It's time to join the work force.

James signed his three-year, $12.96 million rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected the 18-year-old Akron high school phenom with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

James, who already had endorsement deals worth more than $100 million and will soon add more to his bulging business portfolio, will be paid $4.02 million next season by the Cavaliers.

As per the league's collective bargaining agreement, the Cavaliers will pay James $4.32 million in 2004-05 and $4.62 million in 2005-06.

The team has a club option for a fourth year at $5.8 million.

RIDNOUR HURT: SuperSonics first-round pick Luke Ridnour has a fractured pelvis but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

An MRI exam Monday showed a slight fracture, and he will be re-examined in two to four weeks.

The former Oregon guard, who was named Pac-10 Player of the Year last season, was injured during a workout with the Milwaukee Bucks last month, but thought it was a mild abdominal strain and worked out later with the Sonics and other teams.

Sonics general manager Rick Sund said the team knew he was hurt but was not sure how seriously.

Ridnour will not be able to participate in contact drills during the team's three-day camp that starts Sunday. Training camp is scheduled to start in late September.

Ridnour was the Sonics' second pick in the first round and 14th overall selection in the NBA draft last week. Seattle took Kansas forward Nick Collison with the 12th pick.

BIG DOG IN BIG TROUBLE: Atlanta Hawks forward Glenn Robinson was suspended for three games without pay by the NBA Thursday after being convicted of assault and domestic battery.

The suspension will begin with Atlanta's first game in the 2003-04 season.

Robinson was found guilty in May of domestic battery and assault for an altercation with Jonta French in her Chicago Heights home.

Prosecutors said Robinson pushed and threatened French last year. He was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to undergo anger management counseling and complete five days' service in a work program run by the Cook County Sheriff's office.

WILLIAMS IMPROVING: Jay Williams has been transferred to Duke University Medical Center, where he'll continue rehabilitation for career-threatening injuries to his knee and pelvis.

"It is very positive," agent Bill Duffy said Thursday. "We're all praying diligently, and Jay has a great outlook. He's making progress, and we're all very excited."