The NBA handed down a one-game suspension for Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas in response to a misdemeanor he received last August for carrying a concealed weapon and driving without a license.

"While I had a valid registration in Arizona, I did not have a registration for California," Arenas said in a statement issued by the Wizards. "It was an oversight on my part. I have dealt with the situation, and I'm moving forward."

As for the gun, Arenas claims it is used only for protection.

Arenas led the Wizard?s in scoring last season at 19.6 points per game.

Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed Samaki Walker to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

?Samaki Walker will provide our team with very good depth in the frontcourt,? said Grunfeld. ?And perhaps the most important assets he brings to our team will be his veteran leadership and playoff experience, both of which will be very valuable to our young players.?

Walker has appeared in 48 playoff games during his eight-year career and won an NBA World Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002.

Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed Michael Ruffin to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

The 6-8 forward was a member of the Wizards Summer League team where he averaged a team best 7.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes.

?Michael played well for us in the two summer leagues in July,? said Grunfeld. ?He is a good defender, has strong rebounding skills, and gives us depth and experience at the forward position.?

Ruffin spent last season in Utah where he averaged 2.2 points and five rebounds per game. In his four-season NBA career he is averaging 2.2 points and 4.5 rebounds. Drafted out of the University of Tulsa by the Chicago Bulls in the second round (32nd overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, Ruffin appeared in 116 games over two seasons in Chicago, averaging 2.4 points and 4.7 rebounds.

Kwame Brown will undergo surgery tomorrow on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot (pinky toe), which he broke while scrimmaging with college players at a Georgia university gym. Doctors will insert a pin to stabilize the area and help the healing process.

"Kwame suffered a fractured bone in his foot and will have surgery to repair the fracture Tuesday," said Grunfeld. "Our doctors are confident that the surgery will be successful and that Kwame will be ready for training camp in October."

According to a team source, Brown will be held out of running, jumping and basketball-related drills for the next six weeks. He will be able to do conditioning work, however. Doctors do not anticipate Brown missing any of training camp because of this injury.

Metatarsal injuries are sometimes overlooked by doctors because the symptoms can be similar to an ankle sprain, according to one medical source. Metatarsal fractures are caused by twisting or direct impact.

Rumors that the Wizards' front office is upset with Brown for his timeliness in reporting the injury and returning to DC are incorrect, according to a team source. Brown informed the team of the injury within a few hours of the incident, and has done everything the team instructed. Other reports suggesting the team was concerned about the possibility of Brown having played in sandals have no basis in fact, according to a source.