Roundup: Russell Westbrook could be on the move this season
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report reports that Russell Westbrook could be traded “sooner rather than later,” which could mean before the season starts, and potentially to the Boston Celtics. NBA free agency and trade rumors; there's nothing like it.
Jacob Thorpe reports that Washington State backup quarterback Peyton Bender is transferring to a junior college after being declared academically ineligible to play this fall at Wazzu. He’ll take his talents to Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi, and could potentially return to Pullman in January.
Stanford is implicated in a concussion class-action lawsuit that has David Burns, a Stanford football player in the 1970s, listed as the primary plaintiff. It was filed on behalf of all Cardinal football players from 1959-2010.
Michael Lev reports that Arizona linebacker Derrick Turituri is no longer with the team. He started four games last season before a hip injury sidelined him for the rest of 2015.
Utah football center Hiva Lutui has ended his playing career after suffering an ACL injury at the end of spring practice in April. Kyle Goon reports that Lutui is expected to stay with the team as a student coaching assistant in the fall.
Dawn Shockley was named Oregon State women’s golf head coach, according to Gary Horowitz of the Statesman Journal. She was the Beavs’ assistant coach the last two years and played collegiately at Denver.
Arizona State linebacker Salamo Fiso was named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list, it was announced Tuesday. He has also been named to the watch lists for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Award.
Brian Howell writes that Colorado football needs more out of its offensive line in 2016. Injuries didn’t help matters in 2015.
Chantel Jennings whips up this feature on Cal defensive end DeVante Wilson, centering the piece around how his fiancé (they’re getting married in less than two weeks) and daughter inspire him.
Jennings also gives us her take on the Oregon football All-21st Century team, which of course features Marcus Mariota at quarterback.
Percy Allen of the Seattle Times features Washington basketball’s Matisse Thybulle, who is playing with the Pac-12 All-Stars in Australia. He actually lived in Sydney for seven years and grew up thinking Santa wore a speedo and had a surfboard.
Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times features USC basketball guard Jordan McLaughlin, who, like Thybulle, is also on the Pac-12 All-Stars team in Australia. He’s one of the few guys who decided to stick around the Galen Center for next season.