The New Orleans Pelicans hold the eighth overall pick in tonight’s NBA Draft. Jake Madison, host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, says it appears the Pels have plenty of interest in one player in particular…

Cut 17 (20) “…..versatility on defense.”

New Orleans is also rumored to be interested in guard Shaedon Sharpe and forward Ousmane Dieng. LSU’s Tari Eason and Darius Days will be looking to hear their names called as well. Eason is expected to be taken near the middle of the first round, while Days is projected to go in round two. Louisiana Tech big man Kenneth Lofton Jr. is also slated to go in the second round.

And the Pelicans announced that they have extended their broadcast agreement with Bally Sports New Orleans as the team’s exclusive local media partner.

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The number one high school player in the nation, Newman quarterback Arch Manning, announced his commitment to the University of Texas on Thursday. Arch, the grandson of Saints legend Archie Manning and nephew to Peyton and Eli, seemed to be headed to Austin once his teammate and close friend, tight end Will Randle committed to UT earlier this week.

With Manning joining the Longhorns, all of the top three high school quarterbacks in the state are leaving the state. Zachary’s Eli Holstein is committed to Alabama, and Woodlawn signal-caller Rickie Collins is going to Purdue.

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Today marks 50 years since the signing of Title IX, which expanded athletic opportunities for females. Prior to the passage of Title IX, only one percent of college athletic budgets went towards women’s sports. Though there has been tremendous progress, the overall playing field is still far from level. Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, the commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, says political and educational leaders have to maintain a commitment to equality.

Cut 7 (12) “…in general, deserve.”