Sacramento Kings basketball player Chris Webber pleaded guilty on Monday to lying to a grand jury in testimony about cash and gifts he is alleged to have received while playing for the University of Michigan.

The guilty plea, aborting a federal perjury trial that had been set to begin on Tuesday, was part of a complex plea bargain agreement filed in US District Court in Detroit.

Under the deal, federal prosecutors said other charges against Webber and his father had been dropped and both would now be likely to avoid time in prison.

In August last year, the 30-year-old pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment claiming he lied to a grand jury about accepting cash, checks, clothing and jewellery from University of Michigan booster Eddie Martin while playing for the college from 1991-1993.

In his court appearance on Monday, the 6ft-9in Webber -- on crutches after surgery for a knee injury -- pleaded guilty to a single count of criminal contempt of court.

Under questioning from Judge Nancy Edmunds, he admitted that he had lied to the grand jury when he denied having given Martin nearly $40,000 in cash in one meeting in Detroit in 1994.

The money was in repayment for a loan Webber allegedly received from Martin while a college athlete.

Edmunds, who set a sentencing date of September 16, will now decide whether Webber is guilty of a felony or misdemeanor and set a financial penalty for the wealthy Kings forward, who could have faced a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Martin pleaded guilty last year to charges of conspiracy to launder financial instruments. He also testified that he gave Webber and three other University of Michigan players loans and gifts totaling $616,000.

But the case against Webber was severely weakened by Martin's death last February, which left prosecutors without their most important witness.

"It's not over yet but I'm relieved that it's in the process of getting over," Webber told reporters after reporting to probation officers following his courtroom appearance.

When asked if he had feared prison due to the government's case against him and charges that had included conspiracy to obstruct justice, Webber said: "Definitely."

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