The N-B-A’s Western Conference is even more difficult now for the Pelicans as LeBron James is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second-time in his career for the sunshine and good weather in Los Angeles. The three time NBA champion has signed a four-year, 154-million dollar contract with the Lakers.

With James in L-A, could DeMarcus Cousins join him? League sources say the Lakers are trying to sign the 27-year-old unrestricted free agent. ESPN says Cousins has heard from the Lakers and the Pelicans since free agency began Sunday morning.

New Orleans has made one-free agent signing. Former Ragin Cajun and Gretna native Elfird Payton has agreed to a one-year deal with the Pels. In five seasons in the NBA, Payton has averaged 11 points and six assists a game, but he’s shot just 30-percent from three point territory.

Former LSU standout and Shreveport golfer David Toms won the U-S Senior Open yesterday as he shot three-under part for the tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Toms made two big putts on the last three holes, a 15-foot birdie that put him in the lead on 16 and then a 20-footer to save par on 17.

Louisiana High School football is mourning the death of former St. James Football Coach Rick Gaille, who led the Wildcats to three state championship appearances during his 19-year coaching career at St James. He won 169 games through the 2010 season. Gaille was diagnosed with cancer last year.

The USA Baseball Collegiate Team beat Chinese Taipei four to two on Sunday night as they scored all of their runs in the third inning. LSU’s Daniel Cabrera had the big hit, a two-run single to give the US a 3-0 lead.

Former LSU star Kevin Gausman pitched eighth innings to snap a streak of eight winless starts as the Orioles beat the Los Angeles Angels eight to two.

Texas Southern will introduce former LSU coach and player Johnny Jones as its new men’s basketball coach tomorrow. The DeRidder native spent last season as an associate head coach at Nevada, helping the Wolfpack reach the Sweet 16. He was 90-and-72 during his five seasons as LSU’s head coach. Jones replaces Mike Davis, who is now the head coach at Detroit-Mercy.

Anthony Davis missed out on receiving any end of the year awards at the NBA Awards Show last night. A-D was up for Defensive Player of the Year and M-V-P. Houston’s James Harden won the M-V-P as expected and Utaz Jazz Center Rudy Gobert won the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Former LSU standout Ben Simmons was named Rookie fo the Year.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees comes in at number eight in the NFL Network’s annual list of the top 100 players. It’s the first time Brees has been ranked in the top ten since the 2014 season. He set an NFL record last season with a 72-percent passing percentage.

Alabama three-star linebacker Kendall McCallum becomes the 18th commitment of the 2019 recruiting class for the Tgiers. He’s six-foot-three, 235 pounds and also had offers from Louisville, Ole Miss and Missouri. He’s ranked by 24=7 sports as the 25th best inside linebacker in the nation.

LSU-Eunice’s Zach Hester has been named the national junior college division two player of the year. The right-hander from Texas was 13-and-1 with a 2.34 ERA with 133 strikeouts as he helped LSU-E win a national title.

Mississippi State has named Chris Lemonis as its new head baseball coach. The 48-year-old has led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons. Lemonis replaces interim coach Gary Henderson, who just led the Bulldogs to a surprise trip to the College World Series.

Game one of the championship series of the C-W-S was rained out last night. So they will try again tonight at 6 PM. Arkansas will send Blaine Knight to the hill. He’s 13-0 while Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich will go for the Beavers. He’s 16-2 on the year.

Argentina has reached the knockout round of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Nigeria. France and Denmark played to a zero-zero tie and Crotia won again by beating Iceland 2-1.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis came away empty handed from last night’s NBA Awards Show. Davis did not receive the Defensive Player of the Year award. That instead went to Utah’s Rudy Gobert. A-D was also a finalist for M-V-P, but as expected that award went to Houston’s James Harden. Former LSU standout Ben Simmons won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Former LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones has a new head coaching gig as Texas Southern has hired the DeRidder native. Jones will replace Mike Davis, who led the SWAC school to two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. The 57-year-old Jones was fired by LSU in March of 2017.

The LSU football program added another verbal commitment yesterday. Three-star Inside linebacker Kendall McCallum has announced he’s heading to LSU after high school sgraduation. The Oxford, Alabama product also considered Ole Miss and Missouri. 24-7 ranks LSU’s 2019 recruiting class as third best in the country, behind Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

LSU-Eunice’s Zach Hester has been named the national junior college division two player of the year. The right-hander from Texas was 13-and-1 with a 2.34 ERA with 133 strikeoutes as he helped LSU-E win a national title.

Mississippi State has named Chris Lemonis as its new head baseball coach. The 48-year-old has led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons. Lemonis replaces interim coach Gary Henderson, who just led the Bulldogs to a surprise trip to the College World Series.

Game one of the championship series of the C-W-S was rained out last night. So they will try again tonight at 6 PM. Arkansas will send Blaine Knight to the hill. He’s 13-0 while Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich will go for the Beavers. He’s 16-2 on the year.

LSU football added another commitment to its 2019 recruiting class today. Three-star Alabama linebacker Kendall McCallum became the seventh verbal pledge for the Tigers in as many days. He chose the Bayou Bengals over Ole Miss and Missouri. He’s ranked as the 25th best inside linebacker for the Class of 2019. Shea Dixon of 24-7 sports says LSU has seen its team ranking jump in the last two weeks from outside the Top 15 to number three…
cut 19 (13) “….the moment”
Alabama and Texas A-and-M are the two schools ranked ahead of LSU.

Former LSU Head basketball coach Johnny Jones has landed another head coaching gig. Texas Southern has reportedly hired the DeRidder native, who was fired from LSU In March 2017.

The NBA is handing out a bunch of awards tonight and the Pelicans Anthony Davis is up for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. James Harden and Lebron James are the two MVP finalists. Davis has a better chance at Defensive Player of the Year, where he’s up against Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid.

LSU baseball signee Brice Turang has yet to sign with the Brewers, after Milwaukee selected the shortstop from California in the first round. He’s been labeled as the next Alex Bregman and has until July 6th to sign with the Brewers.

Speaking of Bregman, he’s been slumping at the plate, so during the middle of yesterday’s game he shaved his mustache. Bregman still went hitles in yestrday’s game and made an error, but Houston still beat Kansas City eleven to three. The Stros host Toronto tonight.

And tonight is Game One of the College World Series as Arkansas tries to become the fifth SEC Team to win the C-W-S since 2009. The Beavers are trying to win their first title since 2007.

The LSU football program received five verbal pledges in five days and now 24-7 sports has the Tigers ranked as having the third best recruiting class for 2019. Yesterday, three-star cornerback Cordale Flott de-committed from Auburn and flipped to LSU. The Tigers also landed a pair of junior college prospects since Friday night. Copiah-Lincoln Community college tight end TK McClendon and Eastern Arizona Community College defensive back Dreshun Miller. 24-seven-sports-dot-com’s Shea Dixon really likes the addition of Miller…
Cut 18 (19) “the country”
LSU’s 2019 recruiting class consists of two five-star commitments and six-four star prospects.

The NBA Awards are tonight and the Pelicans Anthony Davis is a finalist for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. LeBron James and James Harden are also in the running for MVP. Rudy Gobert and Joel Embid are the other two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named Northwestern State’s David Fry as the hitter of the year. The senior hit .336 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs. The Demons Bobby Barbier was named Coach of the Year as Northwestern State won the Southland Conference Tournament. Ragin Cajuns’ Colton Schmidt was named Pitcher of Year as he went 7-0 with a 2.45 ERA. LSU’s Daniel Cabrera is the Freshman of the Year.

LSU baseball still waiting to see if Brice Turang will come to Baton Rouge or sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, who selected the shortstop in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

And there’s some sad news to pass along, Eunice native Jason Johnson died his injuries sustained during a bad wreck at a World of Outlaws race in Wisconsin. He was just 41-years-old.

LSU has wrapped up camp season with a wave of commitments and now has the third best recruiting class for 2019 according to 24-7 sports-dot-com. Cornerback Cordale Flott became the 16th verbal pledge of the class on Sunday when he decommitted from Auburn and announced his plans to attend LSU instead. Shea Dixon of 24-7 sports says Flott is the third cornerback commitment this month after failing to sign one in the last recruiting class…
Cut 17 (19) “…done yet”
According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s class features two five-star prospects and six four-star commitments.

Game 1 of the championship round of the College World Series begins tonight as Oregon State faces Arkansas in a best of three series. The Beavers reached the championship round after losing their first game in Omaha, while the Razorbacks are 3-0 during the C-W-S. The Hogs are in the finals for the first time since 1979. while Oregon State is looking for its first title since 2007. First pitch is at 7 PM.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is in Cary, North Carolina as he’s getting the 2018 USA Collegiate National Team ready for international competition. On Thursday, USA begins an international friendship series versus Chinese Taipei. The U-S will also play Japan and Cuba before the summer is over.

Mainieri is also waiting to see if signee Brice Turang will turn down a multi-million dollar contract from the Milwaukee Brewers and come to school instead. Milwaukee drafted Turang in the first round and they have until July 6th to sign him.

The Pelicans used their only draft pick last night to select former Penn State guard Tony Carr in the second round. He led the Big Ten in scoring last season at nearly 20 points a game. The 20-year-old from Philadelphia is six-foot-five. General Manager Dell Demps says they think he can play multiple positions, but how he fits in with next year’s team is uncertain…
cut 30 (23) “…he’s not”
Two players from Louisiana were selected in the first round last night. Boston with the 27th pick selected former North Caddo star Robert Williams and Baton Rouge native Jacob Evans gets a chance to play with the defending camps as Golden State selected the small forward who played at Cinncinnati.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without Quarterback Jameis Winston for the first three games as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the signal caller is facing a suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. And the Saints host the Bucs in the season opener. There was a report last November that Winston groped a Uber driver in Scottsdale, Arizona in March of 2016. A formal announcement on the suspension could come down today.

Tonight is the NBA draft, but the Pelicans do not hold a first round pick. They traded it last season to acquire Nikola Mirotic from the Chicago Bulls. So New Orleans has just one selection and that’s in the second round, the 51st overall pick.

Former North Caddo prep star Robert Williams could be a lottery pick. Mock drafts have the former Texas A-and-M standout going anywhere from 13th to 19th overall. Jacob Evans who played at St. Michael High in Baton Rouge is also a potential first round pick.

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High opened their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal to help fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool says he was stunned when Shaq stepped in to help.
Cut 6 (11) “…more grateful.”
Shaq’s donation was part of South Louisiana Giving Day, which was organized by the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

LSU’s 2019 recruiting class received a huge bump yesterday with the verbal commitment of consensus five-star cornerback Derek Stingley Junior from Baton Rouge. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the class now features two five-star prospects, the other is Southern Lab offensive guard Kardell Thomas…
cut 17 (19) “….do now”
At the College World Series tonight, Florida faces Texas Tech in an elimination game. The winner advances to play Arkansas tomorrow. The Razorbacks are 2-0 in Omaha after beating Texas Tech seven to two yesterday. Mississippi State meets Oregon State tomorrow. A win for the Bulldogs and they advance to the championship series of the College world Series.

Big upset at the World Cup, Crotia stunned Argentina three-nothing, so Argentina is in jeopardy of not reaching the Round 16.

Consensus five-star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. of Baton Rouge has committed to LSU and will shut down his recruitment for good. Stingley had 11 interceptions at Dunham High School last year. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran is floored by the athleticism of the young athlete…
Cut 16 (09) “…birthday wednesday”
Stingley is the 13th commitment for the Tigers 2019 recruiting class, which is currently ranked in the top 10.

The NBA Draft is tonight and the Pelicans do not have a first round pick, because they traded it away to acquire Nikola Mirotic last season. New Orleans’ only pick comes in the second round as they have the 51st overall selection.

But four players from Louisiana could hear their name called, led by former North Caddo star Robert Williams. The forward out of Texas A-and-M has a chance to be a lottery pick.

LSU sophomore outfielder Zach Watson has been awarded a Gold Glove by Rawlings for his stellar play in the outfield last season. The Ruston native did not commit an error and threw out six base runners. Watson is the fourth LSU player to receive a Gold Glove Award.

At the College World Series, Arkansas advanced to the final four with a seven to four win over Texas Tech. Big game from Dominic Fletcher, who went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Oregon State rallied from a six-three deficit in the 8th inning to beat North Carolina 11-6. The loss sends the Tar Heels home. Mississippi State will play the Beavers at 2 PM on Friday, while tonight it’s Florida versus Tech in an elimination game.

In major league baseball last night, George Springer, Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve hit back-to-back-to-back home runs as the Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays five to one. Charlie Morton gave up one earned run in six innings for his ninth win of the year.

Derek Stingley Junior, the nation’s number one recruit according to Rivals-dot-com announced today he plans on signing with LSU in December and enroll on the Baton Rouge campus in January. Instead of holding a press conference, with hats of different schools in front of him, the Dunham High School football star announced his decision with a video message on Twitter…
cut 30 (13) “…band music”
Stingley is a five-star cornerback with excellent return skills. The 17-year-old chose the Tigers over Florida and Texas.

LSU’s Zach Watson and UL Lafayette’s Hunter Kasuls are finalists for Rawlings Gold Glove Wards. Watson is one of eight outfielders up for the award, while Kasuls is one of four second basemen. Watson had a perfect fielding percentage in 2018 and had six assists. Kasuls had just one error in 260 chances.

Tulane and Northwestern University announce they will play each other in football in 2020 and 2025. The first match-up in 2020 will take place in Evanston, Illinois and the Wildcats will return the trip to New Orleans in 2025. The two schools have not played each other on the gridiron since 1956.

Southern University has named longtime assistant coach Carlos Funchess as its new head women’s basketball coach. The former ULM basketball player in the early 1990s has been an assistant at Southern for 13 years. Funchess replaces long time head coach Sandy Pugh.