Multiple media outlets are reporting that the 76ers have told Ben Simmons they plan on taking the former LSU star number one in Thursday night’s NBA draft. Simmons worked out for the 76ers yesterday and tonight he’ll be on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The Pelicans have three picks in the NBA Draft, including the number six overall selection. Once the draft concludes, the Pelicans will focus on free-agency. Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson and Norris Cole are players that the Pelicans will have a chance to re-sign, but General Manager Dell Demps says it has to be a good fit…
cut 19 (20) “…everybody”
The Pelicans have released their summer league schedule. They’ll play at least three games in Las Vegas, starting with the Lakers on July 8th.

The Saints released their 2016 training camp schedule today as the team will hold its first practice at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs in West Virgina on July 28th. New Orleans will have joint practices with the Patriots on August 9th and 10th in Foxboro, Massachusetts and in Houston with the Texans on August 18th and 19th. The team will have four open practices to the public at their training facility in Metairie from August 22nd to the 25th.

In other football news…ESPN’s Darren Rovell says former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham has signed an endorsement deal with Campbell’s Chunky Soup.

The Monroe News Star reports Louisiana Tech is adding Iowa State linebacker Jordan Harris to their roster as he’ll suit up this season in Ruston as a graduate transfer. Harris started all 12 games for the Cyclones last season and had 70 tackles.

Northwestern State has named Bobby Barbier (BAR-bee-ay) as the Demons new head baseball coach. He played and coached for the Demons from 2002 to 2009 and was associate head coach last season.

LSU baseball announces that second baseman Cole Freeman has been chosen to wear number eight next season. Mikie Mahtook started the tradition of passing the jersey number eight to another player and he was placed on the disabled list today by Tampa Bay. He was hit by a pitch in the left hand in yesterday’s loss to Cleveland.

The Pelicans have the sixth overall pick in Thursday night’s NBA draft. General Manager Dell Demps will not say which player they make take, but selecting a small forward is one possibility. Demps admits they struggled at that position last year, because Quincy Pondexter missed the season with an injury…
cut 18 (16) “…us back”
The Pelicans also have two selections in the second round.

Former LSU basketball star Ben Simmons is a guest on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight. Simmons is expected to be the number one overall pick.

And Coach Johnny Jones said on ESPN Baton Rouge radio that center Darcy Malone will graduate and not play for the Tigers next season. Malone appeared in 19 games last season for the purple and gold.

For the second straight year in a row, Toledo Bend in Sabine and DeSoto parishes, has been named the top fishing destination in America by Bassmaster Magazine. Bassmaster editor James Hall says there were over 130 10-pound bass catches at Toledo Bend this year….
cut 8 (11) “…is fantastic”
Caddo Lake ranked number 7 in Bassmaster’s Central Division of top 25 best fisheries.

Thursday night is the NBA Draft and the Pelicans have three picks. The sixth overall pick and then two in the second round. New Orleans General Manager Dell Demps believes they can add some significant pieces around All-Star Anthony Davis…:
Cut 17 (14) “free agency”
Once the draft concludes, the Pelicans will focus on free-agency.

There is still plenty of buzz today over the fact that DA Jerry Jones decided they will not prosecute the two Alabama players who were arrested on drug and gun charges in Monroe in May. Jones says there is not enough evidence that would indicate either Cameron Robinson or Hootie Jones were the ones in possession of the weapon or the pot, and he doesn’t want to ruin their lives.

Louisiana Tech says they will officially announce tomorrow that Lane Burroughs will be the new head baseball coach. Burroughs will become the 8th head coach in Tech ball history and takes over the program following 4 years as the head of the Northwestern State baseball team. The Demons say they will work swiftly to replace Burroughs, who posted a 113-113 record in four seasons at Northwestern State.

UL-Lafayette reports that Herman Williams, a 2016-17 signee to the school’s men’s basketball team, died last night after collapsing during a workout in Florida’s Jackson County. The Ragin Cajuns say Williams, who attended Marianna High School in Florida, signed his letter of intent in November. UL-Lafayette confirmed Williams’ death in a tweet last night.

Former LSU baseball star and Baltimore starting pitcher Kevin Gausman did not get a first win in Arlington last night as the Orioles fell 4-3 to the Texas Rangers. He struck out five, while allowing four runs in five innings.

Two Alabama football players arrested in Monroe on gun and drug possession charges will not be prosecuted. Ouachita Parish District Attorney Jerry Jones made that decision. Back in May, former northeast Louisiana prep stars Cameron Robinson and Hootie Jones were arrested after a Monroe police officer allegedly found them smoking pot inside a vehicle at Forsythe Park. DA Jerry Jones told KNOE that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. In addition, Jones told the Monroe TV station that he refuses to ruin the lives of two young men who have spent their adolescence and teenager years, working and sweating, while were all at home in the air conditioning.

In other news out of north Louisiana, multiple media outlets are reporting Northwestern State’s Lane Burroughs will be the next head coach of the Louisiana Tech baseball program. Burroughs only led the Demons to 16 wins in his first season, but the last three years, Northwestern finished near the top of the Southland standings.

Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps spoke with the media for the first time today, since the end of the regular season. There’s been a lot of speculation about Demps’ future with the team after a disastrous 2015-16 season. Demps told the media he wants to be with the Pelicans as long as they want him. He also expects center Omer Asik to report to training camp next fall in better shape. Demps says Asik hurt his back prior to last season and never fully recovered.

Former LSU pitcher John Valek the third has signed a free-agent deal with the Colorado Rockies. Valek was 6-and-2 with a 4.04 ERA this past season.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman goes after his first win of the season tonight as the Orioles face the Texas Rangers in a battle of first place teams. Gausman is 0-4 this year for Baltimore. Derek Holland starts for the Rangers.

And in recruiting…West Monroe outfielder Jacob Pearson flips his commitment from Mississippi State to LSU.

Pelicans General Manager Dell Demps met with the media today for the first time since the season ended. There’s been speculation about Demps’ job status but Demps said today he’s always felt welcomed and the reason why he didn’t hold an end of season presser is because there was nothing to say at that time. Demps added that he believes the team will get a good player with the sixth pick on Thursday night and that if free agents want to return to New Orleans, it has to be a win-win situation for the Pelicans.

Sains fans know how Cleveland sports fans feel today. The Cavaliers 93-89 win over the Warriors last night clinched the first major sports championship in the city of Cleveland in 52 years. Saints fans had to wait 42 years for its first and only Super Bowl.

Tulane Baseball Coach David Pierce has reportedly interviewed for the head coaching position at Texas. Pierce just led the Green Wave to a 41-21 record and a second seed in the Oxford Regional, where they lost to Boston College. Houston’s Todd Whitting has also interviewed for the job, while LSU’s Paul Mainieri was also approached by Texas, but decided to stay in Baton Rouge.

At the College World Series…Coastal Carolina, who beat LSU in the super regionals, knocked off Florida two to one last night. Zach Remillard drove in both of Coastal’s runs, while Andrew Beckwith struck out seven to get the win.

In action today…UC Santa Barbara faces Miami in an elimination contest, while Oklahoma State takes on Arizona in a winner’s bracket contest tonight.

IN the meajor leagues…Texas now has an 8.5 game lead for first place in the AL West after beating St. Louis 4-3 yesterday. Tonight the Rangers host Baltimore, who is in first place in the A-L East. Former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman is on the mound for the Orioles.

Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are champions as they defeated the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in game 7 of the NBA Finals. It’s the first time since 1964 that Cleveland claimed any major sports championship in the city. The Cavs made history as coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals is something that has never been done before. James was named Finals MVP after scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

In College World Series action, the Florida Gators became the third national seed to lose in Omaha as they were shut down by Coastal Carolina and the incredible performance by pitcher Andrew Beckwith. Before that, TCU rallied past Texas Tech with a go-ahead homer in the 9th inning. The Chauntecleers, who ended LSU’s road to Omaha, will now head into a Tuesday winners bracket game against TCU. Florida and Texas Tech will face off in an elimination showdown.

In the MLB, former LSU right-hander Kevin Gausman will look for his first win of the season when the Orioles take on the Rangers tonight.

Louisiana native and former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has received the 2016 Tennessean of the Year award from the state’s Sports Hall of Fame. The honor is given to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the state of Tennessee through sports while demonstrating outstanding character and leadership.

For his first major win, Dustin Johnson was champion of the 116th US Open, making up for his past mistakes and sometimes freak losses in other majors. It could have been another bad day for Johnson, as the USGA debated whether he should be penalized one stroke for his ball moving on the fifth green. But turning the 68 into a 69 didn’t matter, the nation’s most powerful golfer won by three shots.

A federal trial was set to begin today, but it looks like instead a settlement has been reached in the dispute between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his estranged heirs. Terms of the agreement were not made public.

A settlement has been reached in the dispute between Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson and his heirs. A federal trial was set to begin Monday that would determine who would get control of the professional franchises once Benson passes away. The 88-year-old sued last year to make sure the teams would go to his wife, instead of his children and two grandchildren. Terms of the agreement were not made public.

In college baseball, Louisiana Tech is looking for a new head coach as Greg Goff has been hired by Alabama. Goff led the Bulldogs to a 42-20 record this past season and a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Tiger-Rag-dot-com reports LSU relief pitcher Parker Bugg has signed with Miami. The Marlins selected Bugg in the 27th round. Bugg struggled early on this year, but finished with a 3.40 ERA.

And the College World Series begins today. The first game of the day is Oklahoma State versus UC Santa Barbara.

Menard softball star Jensen Howell has been named the most Outstanding Player of the Year in Class Two-A by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Howell was 21-3 in the circle and had 240 strikeouts. Calvary Baptist’s Tiffany Frazier is the Coach of the Year as she led the Cavaliers to a state title.

Riverside Academy Pitcher Mason Vicknair is the Oustanding Player of the Year in Class Two-A Baseball. He was eight and three with 84 Ks. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Barrett Morgan was named Coach of the Year as he led the Falcons to their first state title in baseball.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux has received a 23-percent raise and a two-year contract extension. The Donaldsonville native is entering her 40th season as the head coach and last year the program had its best finish ever, as they came in second place behind national champion Oklahoma.

And UL Lafayette men’s basketball assistant coach Gus Hauser is leaving the program to help run a family business in his native Kentucky.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has reached a settlement with his heirs when it comes to future control of the professional franchises and his other business interests. The terms of the settlement will remain sealed from the public, but the NFL and the NBA have been provided details. Benson sought to make sure his wife Gayle had control of the teams when he dies, not his daughter and grandchildren. But his heirs claimed he was not mentally competent to make such a business decision.

The Greg Goff era at Louisiana Tech is done after two seasons. Goff, who led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Baseball Tournament, was introduced as the head coach of Alabama today. Goff helped Tech win 42 games this past season. He takes over for Mitch Gaspard.

Tigerrag.com reports LSU relief pitcher Parker Bugg has signed with the Miami Marlins. The major league club selected the right-hander in the 27th round of last week’s MLB draft.

Paul Maineri remains the head coach of LSU after a reportedly brief flirtation with Texas. Mainieri is making 750-thousand dollars a year, but Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says after meeting with Alleva on Thursday, Mainieri could see his annual pay reach seven figures…
cut 25 (09) “…mark”
Mainieri just completed his 10th season at LSU.

The NBA Draft is next week and there are reports the 76ers, who have the number one pick, had a one-on-one interview with former LSU star Ben Simmons, who is considered the best player in the draft. Based on a report, Philadelphia came away from the meeting impressed with the 20 pounds of muscle Simmons has added since the college basketball season ended.

LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva said on ESPN 104-5 and 104-9 in Baton Rouge that it was a no-brainer to make sure Paul Mainieri remains as the head coach of the baseball Tigers. Texas reportedly reached out to Mainieri, but the coach decided LSU was the best place for him. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Mainieri has a good thing going at LSU and there’s really no reason to leave….
cut 14 (07) “….at LSU”
LSU returns eight starting position players next season, plus ace pitcher Alex Lange and closer Hunter Newman.

It’s expected that Alabama will name Louisiana Tech’s Greg Goff as its next baseball coach. In just two seasons, Goff made the Bulldogs baseball program relevant again as he led Tech to an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time in 29 years. Goff would replace Mitch Gaspard, who spent seasons at the helm of the Tide.

The NBA Draft is next week and there are reports the 76ers, who have the number one pick, had a one-on-one interview with former LSU star Ben Simmons, who is considered the best player in the draft. Based on a report, Philadelphia came away from the meeting impressed with the 20 pounds of muscle Simmons has added since the college basketball season ended.

A summer break has started for the Saints as they wrapped up their offseason program yesterday. Coach Sean Payton says the team will report for training camp at the Greenbrier on July 27th and training camp opens the next day. The team will hold joint practices with the Patriots on August 9th and then with the Texans on August 20th.

After a brief flirtation with Texas, LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is staying in Baton Rouge. In a statement, Mainieri says LSU is home to his family and it’s his intention to keep it that way for a long time. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran is not surprised with Mainieri’s decision…:
Cut 13 (05) “LSU”
Mainieri’s base salary is 750-thousand dollars, but Moran says after meeting with Alleva on Thursday, Mainieri could see his annual pay reach seven-figures.

LSU tailback Leonard Fournette was named the men’s recipient of the 2015-16 Southeastern Conference Sportsmanship Award. He earned the honor for his actions in support of the people of South Carolina after unprecedented flooding there.

In MLB action, former LSU standout Mikie Mahtook went 1-for-3 with a run in Tampa Bay’s 6-4 loss to Seattle on Thursday.

The New Orleans Saints held their final mini-camp Thursday, and next the Black and Gold are set to report to full training camp on July 27th in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia at the Greenbriar.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees got a surprise from his kids for Father’s Day. Sons Baylen, Bowen and Callen are featured in a new commercial with questions about what makes dad so special. The children were asked questions about their famous father while he listened in from another room.

In the NBA Finals, Lebron James and the Cavs took down the Warriors in a thrilling 115-101 victory last night in Cleveland. This evens up the series and forces a game 7 which will be played in Oakland on Sunday. If Cleveland can pull out the win, they will be the first team ever to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA finals. Golden State’s star and MVP Steph Curry was ejected from the game then cussed out an official and threw his mouthpiece in the stands striking a fan. LSU coach Les miles was at the games and said it was his father’s day gift.

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