Category: Sports

Noah Baumann tilted to one side and tracked his shot as it sailed toward the hoop. For a moment, the USC guard almost looked unsure about his three-point release. But then he straightened his body and began to backpedal. The shot was perfect. The ball splashed through the center of the net. Baumann had his… Continue reading Evan Mobley and Noah Baumann help USC Trojans beat UC Irvine

For most of us, 2020 was a year punctuated by unwelcome surprises. It was no different for national team defender Walker Zimmerman. And for him that started early, with LAFC trading him to an expansion team in Nashville shortly before February’s MLS season opener. “The trade was certainly unexpected,” Zimmerman said. “I did pretty much… Continue reading Walker Zimmerman goes from LAFC to Nashville to U.S. men’s team

For Aaron Donald, there is only one enduring memory from the Rams’ loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. “We lost,” the star defensive tackle said Tuesday. A victory over the Patriots on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium would not alleviate the pain that Donald felt after falling short of his goal… Continue reading Rams recall Super Bowl loss, prep for Cam Newton’s Patriots

The second the Pac-12 announced a regular-season schedule starting Nov. 7 it became a long shot that one of its schools would make the College Football Playoff. The assumption was that the league would at least crown a legitimate conference champion. But with one weekend left in its original six-game slate, the Pac-12 finds itself… Continue reading The Pac-12 must find a way to crown a legitimate champion

A year ago during rivalry week, UCLA’s seniors and graduate transfers ascended a stage on campus and introduced themselves as part of a treasured ritual. Punter Wade Lees made an off-color joke and running back Josh Kelley flashed his radiant smile before leading the throng of students packed into Wilson Plaza in an eight clap.… Continue reading Pandemic creates different kind of ‘Beat SC’ week for Bruins

Tyronn Lue didn’t want to share how and where the Clippers’ first off-court team gathering will take place this week, laughing Monday as he called it a “secret.” “A little team bonding moment,” he promised. Only a day later, however, the Clippers coach offered a preview of what he will say. “The biggest thing, and… Continue reading Clippers coach Tyronn Lue to emphasize adapting on offense

In his first week on USC’s starting offensive line, Courtland Ford stood alone. Literally. An outbreak of coronavirus which left 11 quarantined and forced the cancellation of USC’s previous game so thoroughly wiped out the position group that the freshman was the lone starting lineman actually able to practice last week ahead of USC’s 38-13… Continue reading USC can’t afford a second-half offensive lull against UCLA

The Lakers are scheduled to open their preseason Friday against the Clippers. That much we know. Everything else about the Lakers, and for that matter, every team trying to play during this pandemic, is cloaked in maybes. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said LeBron James and Anthony Davis, his stars, were not likely to play in… Continue reading Lakers’ starting five a mystery that won’t be solved soon

Isiah “Butch” Robertson, the hard-hitting All-Pro linebacker who starred for the Rams in the 1970s, had an advanced case of a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated brain trauma, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of his family. The lawsuit against the NCAA said Robertson was… Continue reading Citing CTE, Isiah ‘Butch’ Robertson’s family sues NCAA

With the COVID-19 pandemic surging in California and college sports recruiters banned from leaving their campuses until April at the earliest, some high school athletes and their parents are in panic mode as opportunities to earn a sports scholarship fade. Add to that the fact that the NCAA is allowing all 2020 football and basketball… Continue reading Junior college an option for football players not recruited