11:40 LRN Sportcast

The Pelicans will tip off the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas at 2:30 against the Timberwolves. Former LSU center William Baker and McNeese forward Christian Shumate are both on the Pels Summer League Roster. Shumate played four years in Lake Charles, and now the Chicago native has another opportunity in the Bayou State.

Cut 17 (19)  “…back here.”

Also making the trip to Vegas will be former LSU guard Cam Carter with the Spurs and Louisiana Tech center Kenneth Lofton Jr. with the Celtics. Former LA Tech teammates Isaiah Crawford and Daniel Batcho will share the hardwood again as they suit up for the Kings’ summer league squad.

The CEO of one of the finalists to build LSU’s new arena has been indicted in a federal case for bid-rigging a similar project at UT Austin. Oak View Group was able to subcontract its competitors and submit the sole qualified bid to build Texas’s Moody Center, which LSU officials have named as the inspiration for a new arena.

Former LSU star D-J LeMahieu is headed for a change of scenery. The Yankees designated the two-time batting champ for assignment. LeMahieu turns 37 on Sunday and is batting .266 this season.

The MLB Draft begins Sunday in Atlanta, and several national championship-winning Tigers will come off the board. Lefty ace Kade Anderson has been mocked first overall and ranks as the number one prospect on ESPN and second on MLB.com. Right-hander Anthony Eyanson could go towards the end of the first round, ranked 45th on ESPN and 40th by MLB.  Both rank flamethrower Chase Shores towards the end of day one selections. Infielders Daniel Dickinson and Jared Jones and D-H Ethan Frey all project to be early day two picks.