Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans make their summer league debut tonight as they take on the New York Knicks. Williamson will face his former teammate at Duke, RJ Barrett, who was drafted by the Knicks. The game will tip off at 8:30 on ESPN.

Former LSU Tiger Naz Reid is also in action today as his Minnesota Timberwolves take on Cleveland. Tomorrow, its Tremont Waters and the Boston Celtics facing the Philadelphia 76ers.

Terrebonne High star football player Ja’Khi Douglas used the Fourth of July to announce he has verbally committed to Florida State. Douglas is listed as a four-star athlete by 24-7 sports. He’s five-foot-10 185 pounds and played a variety of positions for Terrebonne last season, including quarterback, running back and receiver. Douglas also received offers from LSU, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

In the latest 24-7 recruiting rankings for 2020, LSU remains ranked third behind Clemson and Alabama.

UL-Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux, who died Wednesday at the age of 57 following multiple surgeries in the wake of a heart attack on June 23rd, will be laid to rest Monday in a service scheduled at 2PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Visitation will take place Sunday from 3-9 PM at the Cajundome Convention Center, with an additional visitation taking place Monday at 10am. Robichaux will be buried in Crowley.

Former LSU star DJ LeMahieu had one hit yesterday, but it was a big one for the New York Yankees. LeMahieu’s single to left field in the 10th inning snapped a three-three tie as the Yankees went on to beat Tampa Bay eight to four. New York has won nine out of its last ten.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Bregman lost in the first round of last year’s Home Run Derby and he has 23 round trippers this season.

Funeral arrangements have been set for U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Visitation is Sunday from three to nine pm at the Cajundome Convention Center. The rosary will be prayed at 7 PM. There will also be a visitation period on Monday from 10 AM to 2 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. The funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Fatima at 2 PM. The gates outside of Russo Park have become a memorial for the beloved Ragin Cajuns coach for 25 years as fans and members of the community have placed flowers and cards there.

Zion Williamson will be in a Pelicans uniform tonight as New Orleans summer league team takes on the New York Knicks in a game you can see on ESPN at 8:30 PM. Williamson will be facing his old college teammate as the Knicks first round pick R-J Barrett will suit up for New York. Three players who played on last year’s team, will join Williamson, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams and Christian Wood.

Former LSU star DJ LeMahieu had one hit yesterday, but it was a big one for the New York Yankees. LeMahieu’s single to left field in the 10th inning snapped a three-three tie as the Yankees went on to beat Tampa Bay eight to four. New York has won nine out of its last ten.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Bregman lost in the first round of last year’s Home Run Derby and he has 23 round trippers this season to lead the first place Astros.

The Tigers have placed former LSU Tiger Jacoby Jones on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain. The 27-year-old Jones is hitting .244 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs this season.

And Sunday at 10 AM it will be the United States versus the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup Final in France.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Pelicans have re-signed small forward Darius Miller to a two-year contract worth 14.25 million dollars. Which doubles what he made a season ago, but the second year of the contract is not guaranteed. Miller averaged eight points a game last season in 69 games. He gives New Orleans another shooter.

The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly offered former LSU star Ben Simmons a max contract extension, which will pay him 170-million dollars over five years. Simmons is set to make eight-million dollars this year.

LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade has filled out his coaching staff with the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry. Nickelberry was an assistant coach at Clemson when Wade was a student manager. Most recently, Nickelberry was the head coach at Howard.

Southeastern Louisiana has named David Kiefer as its new men’s basketball coach. Kiefer has been the program’s associate head coach for the past three seasons.

Louisiana Tech is moving forward with plans to demolish their tornado damaged soccer, baseball, and softball facilities. Athletics Director Tommy McClelland says discussions are underway where those teams will play next season. Soccer can play at a nearby rec park, while baseball and softball could be forced to play “home” games outside of Ruston.

And McClelland says they’ve begun plans to construct new facilities, and they’ve hired an architect familiar with stadium construction to build something fans will be proud of.
Cut 18 (07) “that”

About one-thousand people showed up for a prayer service and Rosary at Russo Park last night for longtime U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. The 57-year-old is in the I-C-U in a New Orleans hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries following a heart attack.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola was outstanding for the Phillies last night as he threw eight shutout innings and struck out eight as Philadelphia blanked Atlanta two to nothing.

About one-thousand people showed up for a prayer service and Rosary at Russo Park last night for longtime U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. The 57-year-old is in the I-C-U in a New Orleans hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries following a heart attack.

After suffering catastrophic damage from an EF-3 tornado in April, Louisiana Tech has made the decision to demolish the baseball, softball, and soccer stadiums this summer. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says after extensive surveys, they came to the conclusion that trying to salvage those sites just wouldn’t be safe.
Cut 16 (07) “…things”
McClelland says discussions are ongoing when it comes to where those sports will play games. He says the soccer team can hold their contests at a local rec park, while baseball might play some home games at Ruston or as far away as Frisco, Texas, where there is a strong alumni base.

LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade has filled out his coaching staff with the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry. Nickelberry was an assistant coach at Clemson when Wade was a student manager. Most recently, Nickelberry was the head coach at Howard and just led the Bison to their first postseason as they played in the College Basketball Invitational.

Southeastern Louisiana has named David Kiefer as its new men’s basketball coach. Kiefer has been the program’s associate head coach for the past three seasons and he’s entering his fifth season with the S-L-U program.

The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly offered former LSU star Ben Simmons a max contract extension, which will pay him 170-million dollars over five years. Simmons is set to make eight-million dollars this year.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola was outstanding for the Phillies last night as he threw eight shutout innings and struck out eight as Philadelphia blanked Atlanta two to nothing to begin a three-game series.

The Pelicans used their cap space to secure two highly touted veterans at the start of free agency. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Pelicans announced they have signed top overall pick Zion Williamson. Contract details were not made public, but the four-year contract is believed to be worth eight million dollars. Williamson is the on the Pelicans Summer League roster, which will play its first game on Friday against the Knicks in Las Vegas.

Friends and fans have been asked to gather tonight at 6:30 at Russo Park to hold a prayer service for Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux is in the I-C-U at a New Orleans hospital. The school says Robichaux is in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery following a heart attack.

LSU has announced the hiring of College Football Hall of Famer and longtime USC Coach John Robinson as a senior consultant. Robinson had two stints as the head coach of the Trojans and won a national championship. Robinson also coached in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams.

LSU has announced the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry as an assistant coach. Nickelberry was most recently the head coach at Howard University and has been assistant at Monmouth, Holy Cross, Clemson and Charlotte. During his years as an assistant coach, Nickelberry was named by Basketball Times, the Hoop Scoop and Rivals-dot-com as one of the top assistants in the country.

The Pelicans can not officially announce the trade until later this week, but it appears they have landed big man Derrick Favors in a deal with the Utah Jazz. Locked on Pelicans Podcast Publisher Jake Madison says Favors is a tough interior defender and rebounder and best of all…
cut 27 (10) “…the team”
The Athletic reports that the Pelicans are sending draft picks to Utah in the acquisition of Favors, who averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds a game last year. He also shot a career-high 59-percent from the field.

The Pelicans announced they have signed top overall pick Zion Williamson. Contract details were not made public, but the four-year contract is believed to be worth eight million dollars. Williamson is the on the Pelicans Summer League roster, which will play its first game on Friday against the Knicks in Las Vegas.

Former Pelican and Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton is getting a nice increase in pay as the point guard has signed a two-year, 16-million contract with the New York Knicks. Chalmette native Mithcell Robinson and former Landry-Walker star Lamar Peters are also on that Knicks roster.

Friends and fans have been asked to gather tonight at Russo Park to hold a prayer service for Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux is in the I-C-U at a New Orleans hospital. The school says Robichaux is in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery following a heart attack.

LSU has announced the hiring of College Football Hall of Famer and longtime USC Coach John Robinson as a senior consultant. Robinson had two stints as the head coach of the Trojans and won a national championship. LSU says Robinson will assist head coach Ed Orgeron as a consultant of daily planning of practice, personnel and game planning.

Moments after the NBA Free Agency period began, it was reported the Pelicans are signing 35-year-old J-J Redick to a two-year contract worth 26.5 million dollars a year. Redick is a career 41-percent three-point shooter and the veteran guard averaged a career-high 18 points a game last season in Philadelphia.

The Pels are also reportedly adding big man Derrick Favors in a sign and trade with the Utah Jazz. The trade is expected to cost the Pels draft picks. Ferguson averaged almost 12 points and seven rebounds a game last year.

ESPN reports New Orleans also signed EuroLeague forward Nicolo Melli to a two-year, 8-million dollar contract. Over the past four seasons, Melli shot 42-percent from three-point territory.

Brooklyn is the big winner in NBA free agency as the Nets are adding Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Former LSU Tiger Garrett Temple is also heading to Brooklyn on a reported two-year contract. Still no word on where Kawhi Leonard will sign, he’ll reportedly begin meeting with teams today.

UL-Lafayette Baseball coach Tony Robichaux is now in critical condition after undergoing a second surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans. The school says doctors are keeping a close on Robichaux who is in I-C-U. He’s been hospitalized for a week after suffering a heart attack.
LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow spent this past weekend in Thibodaux at the Manning Passing Academy. Burrow threw for 31-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season. He says the Tigers should score a lot of points in LSU’s new no-huddle, run-pass option offense that should keep opposing defenses guessing
cut 17 (16) “.new concepts”

At the US Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana, Shreveport golfer David Toms finished in second place, six strokes back of Steve Stricker.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata has been suspended for the season opener against Houston because he was issued a misdemeanor summons for marijuana possession back in February. It’s unknown if Onyemata will appeal. A narcotics agent allegedly found small amounts of marijuana in his apartment.

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted quickly on a one-year contract extension for offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger. His 800-thousand dollar salary will also remain the same. The board also approved the long-form version of new athletic director Scott Woodward’s contract and a new contract for Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, who is seeing a significant increase in pay to 500-thousand dollars.

Louisiana Tech plans to demolish its tornado-damaged baseball, softball and soccer facilities this summer. Still no definite plans on where those teams will hold their home games next season.

At the U-S Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana, Shreveport golfer David Toms is three shots back of the leader, Steve Stricker. Stricker is at 14-under par, while Toms, who is the defending champ, is at 11-under par.

NBA Free Agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans have about 30-million dollars to spend. Al Horford, Brook Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Atlanta’s Dewayne Dedmon, Tobias Harris, and J-J Redick have been mentioned as possible targets for New Orleans.

NBA will reportedly give coaches one instant replay challenge per game next season. The coaches could challenge a personal foul, a called out of bounds violation, goaltending or basket interference. The rule is expected to be approved on July 9th.

Major League Baseball last night, former LSU standout Austin Nola hit his first major league home run last night for the Seattle Mariners. But Seattle lost to Houston 2-1 in 10 innings. Former LSU pitcher Will Harris got the win.

Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robicheaux will continue his recovery from open heart surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans.

La Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland tells the News-Star that the Bulldog baseball, softball, and soccer teams will not play home games on campus next season, because of tornado damage done to their stadiums. McClelland says they are still working on a plan where baseball and softball will play their home games next season, while soccer is working with Ruston High and the Ruston Parks and Recreation Department.

The News-Star also reports that Oak Grove defensive tackle Keenan Caldwell has committed to Kansas. While Lafayette Christian wide receiver Errol Rogers has reportedly committed to U-L Lafayette.

Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robicheaux will continue his recovery from open heart surgery at Oschner Health Center in New Orleans.

Former LSU stars Alex Bregman and D-J LeMahieu will start for the American League in the All-Star game on July 9th in Cleveland. LeMahieu has the highest batting average in the A-L and Bregman leads Houston in home runs and RBIs.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade likes what he sees from his three freshmen. Wade calls five-star power forward Trendon Watford from Alabama a hard worker. There’s also James Bishop from Baltimore and Charles Manning from Fort Myers, Florida. Wade says Manning is a tremendous defender…
cut 17 (16) “…as a freshman”
Wade says he has a blue-collar, hard-working group.

UNO basketball coach Mark Slessinger has received a contract extension that keeps him on the Privateer sidelines through the 2025-26 season. Slessinger has led UNO to three consecutive postseason appearances.

NBA free agency begins Sunday and the Pelicans are a reported 31-million dollars under the salary cap.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today a one-year contract extension for offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, who is entering is his second season as the team’s O-C. Last year, the Tigers offense averaged 32 points a game, which ranked 38th nationally.

NBA free agency begins Sunday and the Pelicans are a reported 31-million dollars under the salary cap. The Athletic reports the Pels are expected to pursue Tobias Harris, who averaged 20 points a game last season. Philadelphia is also looking to re-sign Harris.

The Pelicans have made it official, naming Antonio Daniels as the team’s new TV color analyst, replacing David Wesley. Daniels has been a studio analyst for Fox Sports Oklahoma and Fox Sports Southwest over the past four years.

And Anthony Davis will continue to wear number 23 in Los Angeles. LeBron James will go back to wearing number six, which he wore in Miami.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade likes what he sees from his three incoming freshman during offseason workouts. The group is highlighted by five-star power forward Trendon Watford from Alabama, who Wade calls a hard worker…
Cut 16 (25) “…does that”
The other two members of the class are guards, James Bishop from Baltimore and Charles Manning from Fort Myers, Florida.

Shreveport golfer David Toms is tied with Steve Stricker for the lead at the Senior Open in South Bend, Indiana. The former LSU standout shot a 62 yesterday.

And former LSU stars Alex Bregman and D-J LeMahieu have been voted as starters for the American League All-Star team.