LSU baseball commit Raegan Ricken will make it to campus. The 6-foot-5 right-hander out of California pulled his name from this weekend’s MLB Draft. Perfect Game ranks Ricken as the No. 69 high school prospect, and ESPN has him 121st among all draft-eligible players.

One Tiger who certainly will be heading to pro ball is pitcher Kade Anderson. After a season where he led the nation in strikeouts and earned Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series, D1 Baseball analyst Aaron Fitt expects him to go first overall. He says Anderson is already the best college pitcher.

Cut 14 (13) “…even harder.”

United Airlines is adding two new flights to the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport for LSU fans this season. The airline will fly direct to Birmingham November 7 ahead of the Tigers’ matchup with Alabama and to Benton, Arkansas November 14 when the team faces off against the Razorbacks. Flights will depart the Friday before the games and return Sunday.

The Pelicans signed lockdown defender Her Jones to a three-year, 68-million-dollar contract extension. The 26-year-old is now under contract for five years with a player option in 2029.

New Orleans lost their Summer League Debut to the Timberwolves yesterday 98-to-91. First-round duo Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen had 14 and 13 points, but both rookies posted seven turnovers in 27 minutes.

LSU has the 6th-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to On3, after landing a pair of defensive line commits yesterday. U High five-star and top-ranked athlete Lamar Brown announced his commitment in a heated recruiting battle versus Texas A&M. Three-star edge rusher DeAnthony Lafayette chose the Tigers over Miami and Oklahoma.

The nation’s number one high school football recruit according to ESPN, University High lineman, Lamar Brown, is staying home to play for LSU. Texas A&M was also pushing hard for a verbal pledge from Brown, but the Erwinville native chose the Tigers during an announcement aired live on ESPN Two…

Cut 26 (11)  “…(applause) go Tigers.”

LSU also received a verbal pledge from three-star edge rusher DeAnthony Lafayette from Orlando. Lafayette chose LSU over Oklahoma and Miami.

A proposed new sports and entertainment arena on LSU’s campus is in jeopardy after the CEO of a firm that was the sole finalist to develop the project was indicted for allegedly rigging the bid process for a similar facility built at the University of Texas in Austin. LSU says its weighing how the criminal charges could affect the Baton Rouge project.

The Pelicans lost their summer league opener to the Minnesota Timberwolves 98 to 91. New Orleans first round picks Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears combined to score 27 points. Queen had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Former McNeese star Christian Shumate did not play.

The Pelicans have reportedly signed fan favorite Herb Jones to a 68-million dollar extension that would keep him in New Orleans through 2029.

LSU baseball star Ethan Frey has a big decision looming. He’s expected to be selected in the first four rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft which begins Sunday. Frey could return for his senior season at LSU or go pro. D-1 Baseball’s Aaron Fitt believes Frey has played his last game at LSU…

Cut 16 (11) “…I would expect”

Five-star University Lab lineman Lamar Brown announced his commitment to LSU on ESPN2 today. With his Cubs teammates behind him in front of a packed U High gym, ESPN’s top overall recruit put on the purple LSU cap and revealed a gold Tigers baseball jersey.

Cut 9 (11)  “…(applause) go Tigers.”

Brown is the third five-star commit in a 2026 class On3 now ranks the sixth in the nation. He joins top overall wide receiver and fellow top ten recruit Tristen Keys.

LSU also landed a commitment from three-star edge rusher and outside linebacker DeAnthony Lafayette today. The Orlando product chose the Tigers over Oklahoma and Miami.

The Tigers missed out on four-star edge rusher Jamarion Carlton, who announced his commitment to Baylor today. Carlton chose the Bears over LSU, Texas and Texas Tech.

The MLB Draft kicks off Sunday and LSU left-hander Kade Anderson hopes his name is the first one called. An elite lefty with a four-pitch mix, many view Anderson as the safest option at number one overall. D1 Baseball analyst Aaron Fitt thinks Anderson is already the best pitcher in college baseball and may not be done improving.

Cut 18 (18) “…an All-Star.”

Right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores will likely also hear their names called Sunday. Fitt says Shores, who will likely go near the third round, has the talent to improve to a top pick next season if he returns to LSU.

Louisiana Tech legend and three-time WNBA Champ Cheryl Ford has returned to the game as the girls’ basketball coach at Arcadia High School. Ford will lead a Lady Hornets team coming off back-to-back state championship appearances.

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.

One of the top high school football prospects in the state will announce today where he plans to attend college. University High’s Lamar Brown is rated as a five-star defensive lineman and Zach Nagy of SI on LSU says Brown has narrowed his decision to two schools…

Cut 20  (13) “….and versatility”

Brown’s decision will be televised by ESPN Two at 12:15.

Former LSU star D-J LeMahieu’s time with the Yankees has ended as New York has designated the two-time batting champion for assignment. The Yankees still ow LeMahieu 22-million dollars through 2026. The 36-year-old is hitting .266 with homers and he’s batting a variety of injuries.

The Pelicans tip off Summer League action in Las Vegas today at 2:30 against the Timberwolves. The New Orleans summer league roster is headlined by first-round duo Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, and last year’s first-rounder Yves Missi. Former McNeese forward Christian Shumate is on the team and played against Fears in high school.

Cut 16 (15) “…in the future.”

Fears was the seventh overall pick from the University of Oklahoma.

The host of the Locked on Sun Belt podcast, Dave Schultz, says momentum has shifted to Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt to replace Texas State. Schultz previously reported that schools in the East Division do not like the idea of three schools from Louisiana in the Sun Belt. But Schultz says Commissioner Keith Gill is really pushing for Tech to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt.

Five-star U-High lineman Lamar Brown is scheduled to make his commitment tomorrow. Zach Nagy of SI on LSU says it’s a fierce battle between LSU and Texas A&M for the number one recruit in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (14) “…and he knows it.”

The Saints unveiled the franchise’s first-ever white helmet today. The alternate helmet will be worn with the team’s color rush jersey this season and features an old gold fleur-de-lis and facemask that matches the jersey.

The Pelicans announced their group opponents for the Emirates NBA Cup. New Orleans will face the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies and Mavericks once each in West Group B.

LSU also received a commitment from three-star Haynesville safety Isaiah Washington. Washington has led the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back state championship appearances at quarterback. Haynesville coach David Franklin says there was an opening at QB his freshman year.

Cut 17 (19) “…leader now.”

Minden High School right-handed pitcher Landon Brewer announced his commitment to Louisiana Tech.

Locked On Sun Belt Podcast Host Dave Schultz reports that momentum has shifted to Louisiana Tech’s favor to join the Sun Belt. He says the West has always been behind the Bulldogs, and some votes might have shifted in the East to get the ball rolling. He says whether or not Tech has all the necessary votes, as of right now, the Bulldogs are the only school under serious consideration.

Haynesville safety and quarterback Isaiah Washington announced his commitment to LSU July 4th. The three-star prospect chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Tulane, and Louisiana Tech. Haynesville football coach David Franklin told Tiger Rag Radio Washington will be an elite athlete in the LSU secondary.

Cut 16 (13) “…room to grow.”

Centenary College is welcoming Hal Mumme and his air raid offense as the new offensive coordinator for the Gents. Mumme brings over 40 years of coaching experience to Shreveport. His last stop in Louisiana was as head coach at Southeastern in 2003, where he helped restart the Lions football program.

The Saints are bringing football to France. Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel says a delegation from the team, including owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis, will aim to grow American football in France through events such as meet-and-greets and the launch of a flag football program.

Cut 15 (10) “…it more popular.”

The Saints released their new alternate helmet today. The new hardware features a white base with an old gold Fleur-de-lis on each side, a black-lined old gold stripe down the middle, and a matching gold facemask. The white and gold scheme will seemingly match the Saints’ color rush uniforms, but the team is expected to release a new alternate jersey sometime before training camp that could replace the color rush or throwback uniforms.

Angel Reese was named the cover athlete for the WNBA Edition of NBA2K26. The former LSU star is also debuting her first signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, on the cover. She joins OKC’s Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and NBA great Carmelo Anthony as this year’s cover athletes.

I’m Jeanne Burns. This sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health. When gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

SEC Media Days begin Monday in Atlanta and the league has announced that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, receiver Chris Hilton and linebacker Whit Weeks will join coach Brian Kelly for the unofficial kick-off to the 2025 season.

Haynesville three-sport star Isaiah Washington is one of LSU’s latest commitments for the Class of 2026. Washington won state championships in the 110-meter hurdles and triple jump at the Class 1A outdoor track meet last May. He’s expected to play safety at the next level. Golden Tornado head coach David Franklin says Washington is an outstanding athlete…

Cut 18 (16) “…all the tools”

Washington plays quarterback and defensive back at Haynesville.

Saints owner Gayle Benson and All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis will fly to Paris this week to promote the club’s visibility in France. The state of Louisiana has only had a strong connection with France and a couple of summers ago, the NFL granted the Saints international marketing rights in France. Senior Vice President of Communications for the Saints, Greg Bensel, says team executives have taken several relationship building trips to France over the years…

Cut 14 (14) “…business in Louisiana”

Bensel says the delegation will attend a European League of Football game featuring the Paris Musketeers and the Vienna Vikings. Earlier this year, the Saints announced a strategic partnership with the Muskeeteers.

And watch for it on social media today, the Saints will unveil a new alternate helmet. There’s also reports the Saints will have a new alternate jersey and matching pants this year.

LSU left-hander Kade Anderson was named the top male athlete in Louisiana this year. The Madisonville native earned the Allstate Sugar Bowl James J. Corbett award after leading Division One in strikeouts this season and helping the Tigers to an eighth national championship. Anderson was also ranked as the number one prospect in the MLB Draft by ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel. McDaniel says he still expects Anderson to go number one in Sunday’s draft after the Nationals fired their president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, and manager Dave Martinez Sunday.

Cut  19 (09) “…to Anderson.”

LSU announced senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, senior wide receiver Chris Hilton, and junior linebacker Whit Weeks will represent the Tigers along with head coach Brian Kelly at SEC Football Media Days July 14.

Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says Louisiana Tech still doesn’t have the votes to join the league, but Commissioner Keith Gill has invested significant political capital to convince Sun Belt schools to approve to Bulldogs.

Cut 20 (19) “…the conference.”

The report comes weeks after ULM discontinued its women’s tennis program to cut costs. The Warhawks currently sponsor the minimum required 16 programs to be a D1 FBS school.

Sun Belt Football Media Days will kick off in New Orleans with the West Division July 22. The Ragin’ Cajuns will be represented by offensive lineman Jax Herrington, safety Tyree Skipper and head coach Michael Desormeaux. Joining second-year ULM head coach Bryant Vincent will be tight end Nate Sullivan Jr. and linebacker Billy Pullen.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson was named D! Baseball Coach of the Year after winning his second national championship in Baton Rouge. It is his second time receiving the honor after earning the same award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in June. Johnson is the fastest coach to win two national titles with a program after taking home two trophies in four years at LSU.

UL-Lafayette is hiring Marshall pitching coach Taylor Sandefur to replace Gunner Leger, who has now taken a job at Southern Miss. Sandefur led the Thundering Herd pitching staff to a 5.09 ERA with a 33-and-26 record.

Saints owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis will be traveling to France this week to promote the team’s international brand. The NFL granted the Saints marketing rights in the country as part of the league’s 2023 Global Markets Program. The trip will look to strengthen the team’s connection with European fans with events Thursday through Monday and the launch of a team-branded boys and girls flag football program.

The Saints announced the team will be releasing a new alternate helmet tomorrow. A new uniform will also be released sometime before training camp, likely replacing either New Orleans’ Color Rush or 60’s throwback uniforms.

Sun Belt Media Days will kick off July 22 in New Orleans. UL-Lafayette offensive lineman Jax Harrington and safety Tyree Skipper will represent the Cajuns along with head coach Michael Desormeaux. ULM announced they’d be sending redshirt senior tight end Nate Sullivan Jr. and senior outside linebacker Billy Pullen to join head coach Bryant Vincent.

ESPN MLB Draft expert Kiley McDaniel ranked LSU pitcher Kade Anderson as his number one prospect ahead of Sunday’s MLB Draft. McDaniel has previously mocked Anderson to go number one overall. He ranked LSU righties Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores 45th and 68th. Second Baseman Daniel Dickinson came in at 89th, D-H Ethan Frey ranked 132nd and first baseman Jared Jones rounded out the top 250 at 249. 13 LSU commits also ranked in the top 250.