LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette leads a list of players from Louisiana who are on the Paul Hornung Award watch list, which goes to the nation’s most versatile major college football player. Fournette led the SEC in all purpose yards last season.

Also on the list are ULM’s Rashon Ceaser who had 77 receptions last season, Louisiana Tech’s Carlos Henderon, who was eighth in the nation in kickoff return yards and the Ragin Cajuns Elijah McGuire, who finished 19th in the country in all-purpose yards last season.

Also on the list is Texas A-and-M’s Speedy Noil, who had a standout prep career at Edna Karr.

LSU football commitment Feleipe Franks is one of 17 quarterbacks who is competing today at the Elite 11 quarterback challenge in Eugene, Oregon. Six other verbal pledges from LSU will be in Eugene later in the week for the seven-on-seven tournament and lineman challenge.

The US Women’s soccer team gave Louisiana sports fans something to cheer for last night as they defeated Japan five to two for their record third World Cup championship and first since 1999.

Today in London, Serena Williams defeated her older sister Venus Williams in two sets in their seventh meeting at Wimbledon. Serena has now won 25 straight Grand Slam matches, as she advances to the quarterfinals at the grass-court event.

Baton Rouge native and former LSU tiger Brandon Bass has reportedly agreed to contract with the LA Lakers. Terms of the deal with the team and the 30-year-old free agent forward aren’t being disclosed at this time. He averaged nearly 11 points and five rebounds a game for the Celtics last season.

Former Bulldogs guard Xavian Stapleton, who left Louisiana Tech after this freshman season, will reportedly transfer to Mississippi State.

Plenty to celebrate today for soccer fans across the country as the US Women’s National Team get the 5-2 win over Japan in the World Cup in Vancouver Canada on Sunday. The US is the first women’s team to win three titles. 50,000 plus people were there and Carli Loyd scored at hat trick during the first 16 minutes of play making her the only woman to ever achieve such a feat in a World Cup final.

Baton Rouge native and former LSU tiger Brandon Bass has reportedly agreed to contract with the LA Lakers. Terms of the deal with the team and the 30-year-old free agent forward aren’t being disclosed at this time.

New Orleans Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry is reportedly finalizing a deal to hire NBA Development League coach Phil Weber as an assistant coach. The Pels staff is set to conduct their first summer league mini-camp today at their practice facility in Metairie.

Hoops guard Xavian Stapleton, who left Louisiana Tech after this freshman season, will reportedly be transferring to Mississippi State.

LSU has announced eight new members to its athletic hall of fame. Headlining the list is former all-american Sylvia Fowles who led the Lady Tigers to four consecutive final four appearances.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Ranaudo is back in the big leagues…He pitched four innings, allowing two runs for the Rangers who lost last night to the Angels 12-6.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it will use the announced BP settlement money to ensure Louisiana will remain Sportsman’s Paradise for years to come. The agreement means the state will receive at least $6.8 billion for damages associated with the 2010 oil spill. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham says these dollars will put wildlife and fisheries research in overdrive…:
Cut 19 (08) “horrific event”

After locking up Anthony Davis with a monster deal that will pay him a reported $145 million over five years, the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t stop there. They reached an agreement with starting center Omer Asik. The new deal will pay Asik about $58 million for five years; however, only the four years of the deal are guaranteed.

The Pels have also agreed to a four-year, $20 million deal with unrestricted free agent center Alexis Ajinca. The 7-foot-2 backup center averaged a career-high 6.5 points in just 15 minutes per game last season. Ajinca took to Twitter to say, “I’m very excited to say that I will be a Pelican for 4 more years!”

The Pelicans are making a big push to re-sign most of their own free agents this offseason.

The Pelicans have released their 14-man summer league roster. The roster includes former Tulane guard Jay Hook, Larry Drew II, and Seth Curry, younger brother of NBA MVP Stephen Curry. The team will hold a four day mini-camp where players will have to earn a spot on the team. The team will then travel to Las Vegas for summer league play that begins July 10th.

Yahoo Sports reports that Harvey native Greg Monroe has signed a maximum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. The big man averaged nearly 16 points a game last season for the Detroit Pistons. The deal will pay Monroe $50 million over the next three seasons, with the third season being a player option. Monroe played his high school ball at Helen Cox High School before playing two years at Georgetown.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks have apparently agreed to a new contract that will double his annual pay. An anonymous source says this is a two-year deal, with a player option for a third year making the contract worth $58.9 million. Millsap was selected to the NBA All-Star team in each of his two seasons with the Hawks. The deal can’t be finalized until July 9th.

Tuerlings Catholic alum Taylor Dugas has been called up to join the 25-man roster of the New York Yankees. The former All-American at Alabama has spent four seasons in the minor leagues, most with Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder, after being picked in the eighth round by the Bronx Bombers in 2012. Dugas replaces outfielder Carlos Beltran who left Tuesday’s game with a ribcage injury.

After agreeing to terms with Anthony Davis on a monster deal that will pay him a reported $145 million over five years, the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t stop there. They reached an agreement with starting center Omer Asik. The new deal will pay Asik about $58 million for five years; however, only the four years of the deal are guaranteed.

The Pels have also agreed to a four-year, $20 million deal with unrestricted free agent center Alexis Ajinca. The 7-foot-2 backup center averaged a career-high 6.5 points in just 15 minutes per game last season. Ajinca took to Twitter to say, “I’m very excited to say that I will be a Pelican for 4 more years!”

The Pelicans are making a big push to re-sign most of their own free agents this offseason.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks have apparently agreed to a new contract that will double his annual pay. An anonymous source says this is a two-year deal, with a player option for a third year making the contract worth $58.9 million. Millsap was selected to the NBA All-Star team in each of his two seasons with the Hawks. The deal can’t be finalized until July 9th.

It’s being reported that Shreveport native Michael Qualls has signed an NBA free-agent deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former Arkansas Razorback star was considered a prospect in the NBA draft, but suffered an ACL injury in the weeks leading up to the draft. It is not expected that Qualls will be healthy for the NBA’s summer league or training camp.

Newly hired LSU assistant basketball coach John Treloar will not be joining the program. Treloar, who was the director of player personnel for the Phoenix Suns when hired in April, stated Tuesday night that he has accepted a job with another NBA team. Treloar was an assistant at LSU from 2004-2008. LSU head coach Johnny Jones will reportedly reopen a search to replace Treloar.

Tuerlings Catholic alum Taylor Dugas got called up to join the 25-man roster of the New York Yankees. The former All-American at Alabama has spent four seasons in the minor leagues, most with Double-A Trenton Thunder, after being picked in the eighth round by the Bronx Bombers in 2012. Dugas replaces outfielder Carlos Beltran who left Tuesday’s game with a ribcage injury.

Star forward Anthony Davis has verbally agreed to accept the New Orleans Pelicans’ maximum extension deal that will reportedly pay him $145 million over five years. Davis took to social media to make the announcement last night. Jake Madison, with Bourbon Street Shots, says this deal will keep Davis in New Orleans until, at least, 2020…

cut 6 (09) “not going anywhere”

He says Davis’ deal will go into effect for the 2016-2017 season, but it can’t officially be signed until next week.

Newly hired LSU assistant basketball coach John Treloar will not be joining the program. Treloar, who was the director of player personnel for the Phoenix Suns when hired in April, stated Tuesday night that he has accepted a job with another NBA team. Treloar was an assistant at LSU from 2004-2008. LSU head coach Johnny Jones will reportedly reopen a search to replace Treloar.

It’s being reported that Shreveport native Michael Qualls has signed an NBA free-agent deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former Arkansas Razorback star was considered a prospect in the NBA draft, but suffered an ACL injury in the weeks leading up to the draft. It is not expected that Qualls will be healthy for the NBA’s summer league or training camp.

UNO has tapped former LSU All-American Blake Dean as their new head baseball coach. Dean was a member of the LSU National Championship Baseball team in 2009. At the age of 27, he will become one of the youngest head coaches in Division-I baseball. Dean takes over a program that saw the Privateers winning just 27 games over the last two seasons.

And in the Women’s World Cup, the United States advance to the final after defeating Germany 2-0. Midfielder Carli Lloyd struck first for the US by converting a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Kelly O’Hara sealed the victory with a goal in the 84th minute. The US team will face tonight’s winner between England and Japan in Sunday’s championship match.

It appears that Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis will be staying in New Orleans for a while. Davis and the Pels have reportedly come to an agreement on the team’s maximum extension deal that will pay the star forward more $140 million over five years. The reported deal will keep Davis from entering free agency until 2020. Davis still has one year left on his rookie contract that will pay him $7 million next season. The new deal begins for the 2016-17 season.

Former LSU All-American Blake Dean has been tapped as the new head baseball coach of the UNO Privateers. Dean was a member of the LSU National Championship Baseball team in 2009. At the age of 27, he will become one of the youngest head coaches in Division-I baseball. Dean takes over a program that has won just 27 games over the last two years.

Around this time of the year, LSU fans are counting the days to the start of the football season. But this year, there’s also a lot of excitement for the Tigers men’s basketball team. They are coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament and they bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by Ben Simmons who is considered the top player coming out of high school. Coach Johnny Jones says he can tell expectations are higher…

cut 28 (24) “…during my time here”

LSU will get to play some exhibition games in Australia in August. They’ll play games in Sydney, Queensland, Newcastle and Melbourne.

LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette told the Baton Rouge ESPN radio affiliate that running back Leonard Fournette will represent the Tigers at next month’s SEC media days. Fournette, head coach Les Miles, and other players will meet with hundreds of reporters in Birmingham on July 16th.

The NBA free agency period begins tomorrow. The New Orleans Pelicans are not expected to make major additions to their roster. But the biggest priority is to get All star forward Anthony Davis to sign a five-year, 143-million dollar extension. The team hopes the hiring of head coach Alvin Gentry will convince Davis to sign that extension.

Former LSU baseball star Blake Dean was introduced today as the new head coach at UNO. Dean is only 27-years-old, but he’s been to learn from some head coaches who won a lot of baseball games, Ron Maestri at UNO and LSU’s Paul Mainieri. Dean takes over a program that has won just 27 games over the last two years.

LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette told the Baton Rouge ESPN radio affiliate that running back Leonard Fournette will represent the Tigers at next month’s SEC media days. Offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and junior linebacker Kendall Beckwith will join Fournette and head coach Les Miles, when the Tigers meet with hundreds of reporters in Birmingham on July 16th.

At this time of the year, LSU fans are counting the days to the start of the football season. But there’s also a lot of excitement for the Tigers men’s basketball team. They are coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament and they bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by Ben Simmons who is considered the top player coming out of high school. Coach Johnny Jones says he can tell expectations are higher…
cut 28 (24) “…during my time here”
LSU will get to play some exhibition games in Australia in August. They’ll play games in Sydney, Queensland, Newcastle and Melbourne. Simmons and LSU junior center Darcy Malone are from Australia, while assistant coach David Patrick played professionally in Australia.

LSU basketball will make its three incoming freshmen available to the media. Ben Simmons is the marque player out of the group as he’s considered the top player coming out of high school. Antonio Blakeney, was also heavily recruited out of Florida, and Coach Johnny Jones tells us about him….
cut 29 (12) “…get better”
Blakeney is six-foot-four, 170 pounds.

The NBA free agency period begins tomorrow. The New Orleans Pelicans are not expected to make much news, but that doesn’t mean the team will not be busy. The biggest priority for the franchise is to get All star forward Anthony Davis to sign a five-year, 143-million dollar extension. The team hopes the hiring of head coach Alvin Gentry will convince Davis to sign that extension.

LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette has told the Baton Rouge ESPN radio affiliate that running back Leonard Fournette will represent the Tigers at next month’s SEC media days. Offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and junior linebacker Kendall Beckwith will join Fournette and head coach Les Miles, when the Tigers meet with hundreds of reports in Birmingham on July 16th.

Former LSU baseball star Blake Dean is the new head coach at UNO. The 27-year-old has spent the previous two seasons as the Privateers hitting coach and he’ll replace Ron Maestri, who decided to retire following the 2015 season.

Ragin Cajuns freshman left-handed pitcher Gunner Leger has been selected to the D-1 Baseball Freshman All-American team. The Lake Charles native was 6-and-5 with a 2.99 ERA this past season. He struck out 87 and walked only 20.

LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones doesn’t expect the new 30 second shot clock to have much of an impact on his team. The NCAA has decided to change the shot clock from 35 to 30 seconds in an effort to speed up play. Jones doesn’t see this changing what his team does…

cut 30 (25) “on them”

Last season, Jones lead the Tigers to a 22-11 record and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009.

Former LSU power forward Jarell Martin says he will not take part in Orlando Summer League play. The Memphis Grizzlies’ first-round draft pick says he has a stress fracture in his foot that will prevent him from participating in any summer league games.

Ragin Cajuns basketball star Shawn Long is one of 22 players invited to take part in the 2015 US Pan American men’s basketball training camp. Long will look to make the 12-member team, which will represent the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto next month.

LSU football coach Les Miles announces that defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao has been dismissed from the football team. The San Antonio native was arrested two weeks ago on simple battery and simple robbery charges for an incident that occurred in the parking lot of a bar. It was the second time Lealaimatafao’s been arrested in Baton Rouge.

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri has been named the 2015 Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year. Mainieri led the Tigers to the College World Series this past season and helped LSU win a nation’s best 54 games.

McNeese State names Connor Lloyd as a new assistant coach for the Cowboys baseball team. Lloyd hit .321 for the Pokes last season and served as a team captain. He had over 200 hits during his career at McNeese.

LSU football Coach Les Miles announced today that defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao has been dismissed from the football team. The San Antonio native was arrested two weeks ago on simple battery and simple robbery charges for an incident that occured in the parking lot of a bar. It was the second time he’s been arrested in Baton Rouge.

24-7 sports ranks LSU’s 2016 football recruiting class as the best in the nation. Ten of LSU’s 17 commitments are from Louisiana. Shea Dixon with 24-7 sports says the Tigers are also doing well in Texas, as four of their verbal pledges are from the Lone Star state….
cut 19 (20) “….Erick Fowler”

The Louisiana Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year has verbally committed to LSU. University High Forward Wayde Sims averaged 18 points and ten rebounds a game last season as he helped the Cubs win their second straight Class Three-A title. He is the son of former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims.

Ragin Cajuns basketball star Shawn Long is one of 22 players invited to take part in the 2015 US Pan American men’s basketball training camp. Long will look to make the 12-member team, which will represent the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

LSU’s Paul Mainieri has been named the 2015 Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year. Mainieri led the Tigers to the College World Series this past season and helped LSU win a nation’s best 54 games.

And McNeese State names Connor Lloyd as a new assistant coach for the Cowboys baseball team. Lloyd hit .321 for the Pokes last season and served as a team captain. He had over 200 hits during his career at McNeese.