UMaine women’s basketball gains academic honor
For the second-straight season, the University of Maine women’s basketball team made it to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Top-25 Academic Honor Roll.
The Black Bears checked in at No. 18 on the national list with a team grade point average of 3.48, as announced by the WBCA on Tuesday.
Maine, the only America East school to receive a spot on the Top-25 Academic Honor Roll, improved its ranking from No. 24 a year ago.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III; NAIA and junior/community college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season.
Jimmer Fredette to play in China
Former college basketball star Jimmer Fredette, who has struggled to make an impact in the NBA, will reportedly play in China this season.
Fredette is preparing to sign with the Shanghai Sharks, who are owned by former NBA standout Yao Ming. The Sharks play in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Fredette had a standout college career at Brigham Young and was selected 10th in the 2011 NBA draft. But he didn’t pan out during 2 1/2 seasons with the Sacramento Kings and has also played for the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks.
Fredette is averaging 6.0 points in 235 career NBA games.
Dodgers officially demote Puig
The Los Angeles Dodgers made good on their word by optioning outfielder Yasiel Puig to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, one day after the outfielder did not accompany the team to Colorado.
The Dodgers also shipped pitchers Ross Stripling and Josh Field to the minors while activating outfielder Josh Reddick and reliever Jesse Chavez.
Reddick, who was acquired from Oakland along with pitcher Rich Hill prior to the trade deadline, was listed as batting cleanup in the series opener vs. the Rockies. Reddick also played in right field in place of the 25-year-old Puig, who is batting just .260 with seven homers and 34 RBIs in 81 games this season.
Cards’ Mathieu becomes highest-paid safety
The Arizona Cardinals made Tyrann Mathieu the highest-paid safety in NFL history by agreeing on a five-year extension worth $62.5 million, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.
The agreement contains $40 million in guaranteed money and runs through 2021. Mathieu was slated to become a free agent after this season.
The 24-year-old Mathieu tweeted out one word in an apparent response to the rich deal:
“Blessed….”
Mathieu had his best season last year in this third NFL campaign. He intercepted five passes and racked up 89 tackles (including 11 for losses) before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee after 14 regular-season games.
Falcons, Feeney agree to deal
The Atlanta Falcons announced they have agreed to terms with seven-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Dwight Freeney. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Freeney, 36, visited with the Falcons in June to work out for coach Dan Quinn and his staff, but was not signed at the time. He also visited with the Cincinnati Bengals in late May.
Freeney, who has 119.5 career sacks, finished with 8.0 sacks in 11 games for the Arizona Cardinals last season. He bolsters a Falcons pass rush that finished last in the NFL with 19 sacks last season.