Al Horford scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Dominican Republic to a comfortable 90-60 win over Cuba in the opening game of the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.

Jack Michael Martinez had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Edgar Sosa chipped in 14 points for the Dominican Republic, who led 38-19 at halftime.

BCM Gravelines of France has since Pape Sy of the Atlanta Hawks.

Sy has an out clause in his deal with the team since he remains under contract with the Hawks.

Keith Benson has signed a deal with Sassari of Italy.

Benson was the second round pick of the Hawks.

Benson’s mother, Janice Hale, said Benson’s contract includes an opt-out clause that would allow him to return to Atlanta if/when the NBA lockout ends.

“Keith feels that having an opportunity to play professionally during the lockout will enable him to maintain his conditioning and prepare him for the Atlanta Hawks training camp when the lockout ends,” Hale wrote in an e-mail. “He has received numerous offers to play in Europe and Asia. In fact, there were offers that were close to double the offer he accepted. Many of the teams that offered him wanted to build their teams around him as the starting center and would not provide the opt out clause. He agreed to play for Sassari because they were willing to include the opt out clause in his contract.”

Los Angeles businessman Alex Meruelo has reached an agreement to buy a majority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks.

An announcement will be made on Monday.

The deal is subject to the approval of the NBA Board of Governors, which could take several months.

Meruelo would become the first Hispanic owner of an NBA franchise.

Meruelo said he plans to spend a lot of time in Atlanta and to buy a home in the area.

"If you look at my previous ... business ventures, I'm very hands-on, and this will be no different," he said.

Meruelo was asked if there was any possibility of moving the Hawks out of Atlanta.

"Absolutely no. None."