LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announced over the weekend that Georgia Southern play-by-play man Chris Blair will be the next “Voice of the LSU Tigers.” Blair will replace Jim Hawthorne who will retire after the 2015-16 men’s basketball season. Blair will join the Athletic Department in December and will begin calling games at the start of the 2016 baseball season.

LSU third baseman Conner Hale has signed a contract to play pro ball for the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners drafted Hale in the ninth round of this month’s MLB Draft. Hale made his announcement on Twitter with a photo of him signing his paperwork wearing a Mariners cap. Hale is one of seven Tigers starting position players expected to head to the pros this season.

In Major League Baseball, Houston stomped the Mariners 6-2 and the Atlanta Braves completed a three game sweep of the New York Mets with a 1-0 victory Sunday.

The NBA Draft is right around the corner and a couple of former LSU forwards are working to strengthen their position. Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey have been flying around the country participating in the NBA Draft Combine and working out for several teams. In fact, Martin has worked out for 13 of the NBA’s 30 teams. Projections say Martin and Mickey could be selected in the early part of the second round, if not late in the first. The NBA Draft is Thursday.

The Pelicans will hold a press conference today at 3:30 to introduce Alvin Gentry as their new head coach. In other news involving the Pels, Eric Gordon has exercised his player option, which means he’ll remain on the team for the 2015-16 season.

The son of LSU head coach Les Miles has decided to accept an offer to be a preferred walk-on at the University of North Carolina. University High quarterback Manny Miles made his announcement Friday. Miles is expected to enroll for the second summer session at North Carolina next month.