Roundup: Cal's Boyd, Gray headline Pac-12 WNBA draft class
Cal women’s basketball players Brittany Boyd and Reshanda Gray were selected in the WNBA draft Thursday night, with Boyd going ninth overall to the New York Liberty and Gray going 16th to Minnesota. As the release states, Corn Flakes and Milk are the first Golden Bear teammates to be drafted in the same year.
Boyd will have some Pac-12 company in the Big Apple, as Amber Orrange was drafted by New York in the second round (23rd overall). She is the 10th Cardinal player selected in the last nine years.
Ms. Irrelevant can be found in Tempe: Phoenix selected Arizona State’s Promise Amukamara with the last pick in the WNBA draft (third round, 36th overall). Being Mr. Irrelevant has worked out just fine for former Dawg Isaiah Thomas.
Former USC defensive end Jimmy Gunn died of heart failure at age 66, USC announced Thursday. He also played in the NFL for the Bears, Giants and Buccaneers.
Dan Greenspan features longtime Penn Stater-turned-UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley. Bradley spent 37 years at Penn State as a player and coach and was the interim head coach at Penn State after Joe Paterno was fired.
Here’s a good look – Ryan Thorburn of The Register-Guard writes that Oregon football coach Mark Helfrich and his staff will match up to $250,000 toward helping low-income students attend Oregon through the PathwayOregon program.
The Associated Press writes that Utah running back Devontae Booker is ready to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. Dude rushed for more than 1,500 yards in 2014 after beating out Bubba Poole for the starting gig.
In spring football, the Washington State defense is turning up the pressure on the quarterbacks, notes Jacob Thorpe. This could potentially be a good sign going forward for what has been a maligned Cougar defense the past few years.
Jon Rothstein thinks juco transfer Kadeem Allen could have a big year for Arizona basketball.
Providence transfer Josh Fortune is ready for a fresh start with Colorado basketball, writes Brian Howell. He had to sit out last year due to transfer rules but could be a huge boost in 2015-16. Fortune started for two years at Providence.
New Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake talks about the defense’s progress during the spring with The Oregonian’s Gina Mizell.
Washington football’s 2015 season opener at Boise State will kick off Sept. 4 at 7:15 p.m. PT on ESPN. Friday night lights, baby. And although Jazmine Davis didn't get selected in the WNBA draft, she hasn't given up on her dream. This Mason Kelley feature on Davis was from before the draft, but it still applies. All Davis needs to hear is that she isn't good enough, and that chip on her shoulder will carry her a long way.
They gone love me for my ambition...
— Jazmine Davis (@JDuw_32) April 17, 2015