New Orleans is reportedly the favorite to host the NBA All-Star game in February now that the NBA has stripped the contest away from the city of Charlotte. The NBA moved the game out of North Carolina because that state passed a law this year that limits anti-discrimination protections for the L-G-B-T community. The league says a new location for the 2017 All-Star game will be announced shortly and the city and the association are reportedly in negotiations to bring the star studded event to the Big Easy.

The Pelicans have announced they signed first-round pick Buddy Hield. The NBA franchise also announced the signings of unrestricted free agent forward Terrence Jones and the re-signing of guard Tim Frazier. Jones is a former first round pick of the Rockets in 2012. During his career in Houston, he averaged 10 points and five rebounds a game. Frazier played in 16 games with the Pels last season.

The Sun Belt released is preseason football all-conference team today and only one Ragin Cajun and Warhawk appears on the first team. UL Lafayette senior defensive back Savion Brown is the lone first-team selection. On the second-team offense, you have Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire, ULM wide receiver AJalen Holley. The second-team defense features defensive linemen Karmichael Dunbar and Taboris Lee, linebacker Otha Peters and defensive back Tracy Walker, all from UL Lafayette. ULM’s defensive back Tre Hunter is also on the second-team.

There’s sad news to report out of the NFL. Former Head Coach Dennis Green has passed away. Green led the Vikings to 8 playoff appearances and his 1998 Vikings team went 15-and-1.

And McNeese State is mourning the loss of former athletic director and track and field coach Bob Hayes. He was inducted into the McNeese Hall of Fame in 2000.