11:40 Sportscast July 1, 2015

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.

06:45 Sportscast July 1, 2015

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.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 June 30

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.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 30

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.

06:45 Sportscast June 30, 2015

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.

LRN Sportscast 16:45 June 29

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.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 June 29

According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s 2016 football recruiting class is ranked number one in the country. The Tigers have 17 committments, including two five-star prospects, cornerback Saivion Smith from Florida and St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle Edwin Alexander from Hammond. Shea Dixon, with 24-7 sports says LSU is also filling positions of need, especially on the defensive side of the ball…
cut 18 (12) “…outside linebacker”
Ten of LSU’s commitments are from Louisiana.

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.

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. The Bayou Bengals were also ranked number one in the country for ten consecutive weeks during the season.

One of Mainieri’s former players, Austin Nola, has been added to the New Orleans Zephyrs roster. Nola gets the promotion to Triple-A, despite hitting only .214 at Double-A Jacksonville.

Another former LSU Tiger, Alex Bregman, hit his first first professional home run yesterday as he helped Quad Cities beat Cedar Rapids.

The NBA has reportedly required that the 76ers pay the New Orleans Pelicans three million dollars for not fully disclosing Jrue Holiday’s injury history. Philadelphia traded Holiday to the Pelicans during the 2013 draft. But he only played in 34 games in 2013-14, because of problems with his legs and he only played in half of the regular season games last season.

06:45 Sportscast June 29, 2015

According to 24-7 sports, LSU football’s 2016 recruiting class is ranked number one in the country. With national signing day still several months away, the Tigers have 17 verbal commitments, including two five-star prospects, cornerback Saivion Smith from Florida and St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle Edwin Alexander from Hammond. 24-7 sports, Shea Dixon, says Coach Les Miles has hired some great recruiters…

cut 17 (17) ” in the country”

Ten of LSU’s commitments are from Louisiana.

Offensive lineman Jahri Evans took a pay cut this offseason, but the Saints veteran says he’s not upset about it. The team entered the offseason with serious salary cap problems. Evans tells ESPN that it’s just part of the reality of being a player with fairly hefty salary. The veteran guard will make about half-a-million dollars less this season, but he will still wear the Black & Gold.
The LSU men’s basketball team has received a verbal commitment from U-High guard Wayde Sims. Sims help the Cubs win two consecutive Class 3A state championships. According to Louisiana Basketball Report, Sims is listed as Louisiana’s number 7 senior prospect for 2016.

Danielle Ballard’s basketball career at LSU has come to an end. In a news release, the Lady Tigers said Ballard will not return for her senior season. Ballard, a former first-team All-Southeastern Conference player, averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over the last three seasons.

Former LSU Tiger Austin Nola has been promoted to Triple-A. Nola was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2012 and has been playing at the team’s Class Double-A affilliate in Jacksonville. Nola joined the New Orleans Zephyrs over the weekend during their trip to Iowa.

In his 12th at-bat as a pro, Alex Bregman hit his first professional home run. The former LSU standout shortstop’s dinger came in the third inning of Quad City’s 6-1 win over Cedar Rapids Sunday. Bregman, the second overall pick in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft, signed with the Houston Astros Thursday and debuted with the Class A Iron Pigs the following day.

LRN sportscast June 27

One of the best LSU running backs ever will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Kevin Faulk was a three-time all-SEC selection and the Carencro native went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Faulk says his football career took off in New England…
cut 24 (11) “…just playing”
Former Saints and Ragin Cajuns quarterback Jake Delhomme is also part of the eight member class that will go through induction ceremonies tonight in Natchitoches. Joining the NFL stars are former college football coach Pat Collins, former softball coach Yvette Girouard, basketball player and coach Avery Johnson, former McNeese State standout Leonard Smith, former St. Aug football coach Otis Washington and horse trainer Frank Brothers.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman played in his first professional baseball game last night and as a designated hitter he went one for five with a single in the ninth inning.

The United States defeated China last night 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup. Carli Lloyd scored the only goal on a header in the 51st minute. Hope Solo had her fourth straight shutout. The U-S plays again Tuesday night against Germany in the semi-finals.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Michale Kyser has received an NBA Summer League invite from the Toronto Raptors. Kyser averaged nine points and seven rebounds from the Bulldogs last season. The Raptors will compete in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, beginning on July 10th.

LSU athletics finished 15th in the annual Learfield Directors’ Cup rankings. The rankings are compiled by adding up how a college performed in all sports during the 2014-15 athletic season. Of LSU’s 21 sports, 16 competed and placed in an NCAA event with the men’s golf team leading the way with the program’s first national title in 60 years.

LRN Sportscast 16:45

It’s a big weekend in Natchitoches as eight sports figures will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. One of those individuals is former Northeast Louisiana University football coach Pat Collins, who led the Monroe school to a Division One-Double-A national championship in 1987. Collins credits the staff he had at N-L-U…
cut 15 (08) “….high school”
The 2015 class also includes recent NFL stars Jake Delhomme and Kevin Faulk, who also had standout college careers at then Southwestern Louisiana University and LSU.

For the first time since 2000, LSU had two players selected in the NBA draft. Jarell Martin was a first round selection as he was taken by the Memphis Grizzlies, while Jordan Mickey went in the 2nd round to the Boston Celtics, who picked him with the 33rd pick.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola has been selected to participate in the Major League Baseball Futures game, which is set for July 12th in Cincinnati. The 22-year-old Baton Rouge native is pitching for the Phillies triple-A club, Lehigh Valley. He has a 9-3 record this season as he’s split time between Double and Triple-A.

In the final collegiate baseball poll of 2015, LSU is ranked fifth, while the Ragin Cajuns are ranked 16th. And in case you were wondering, there were 15 home runs hit in 16 games at the College World Series. The most ever, since the C-W-S moved to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011.

Tonight at 6:30, US soccer clashes with China in the quarterfinals of the Womens’ World Cup. It’s the first time these two teams have faced each other since that historic match in 1999 when the Americans won on penalty kicks and Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey.