Falling short of their back-to-back ambitions, the Oklahoma City Thunder had to say goodbye to a handful of longtime role players this summer. The cost-cutting moves were part of their first roster shakeup in years. Perhaps the biggest departure both from a basketball and sentimental level was Lu Dort.The Thunder traded Dort to the Atlanta Hawks for three future second-round picks. The deal allowed OKC to get under the second apron and save a boatload of money. He leaves as one of their best developmental stories ever. In seven seasons, he went from an undrafted rookie to an All-Defense member and one-time NBA champion.After sitting on the trade for a couple of weeks, Dort finally penned his goodbye letter to OKC. The 27-year-old took to Instagram to write his lengthy message accompanied by a tribute video. He was tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the longest-tenured Thunder player."Dear OKC, there are no words that could ever fully express what the 405 means to me, but one thing will always be true: Ill forever be grateful," Dort wrote. "Thank you to the Oklahoma City Thunder organization for taking a chance on a young, overlooked kid from Montreal seven years ago. To the coaching staff, thank you for pouring so much into me day after day, year after year. To this city, thank you for making this HOME not just for me, but for my family. And to my teammates, thank you for every battle we fought together and every challenge we faced along the way. To YOU, Loud City I will forever appreciate the relentless support. Through all the highs and lows, you never stopped believing in us as we chased the goal of bringing this city its first championship. I wouldnt trade my time here for anything. This place helped shape me into the man you see today, and Ill always carry these memories with me. I leave with nothing but the deepest sense of love, gratitude, and appreciation for everyone who made this chapter so special... With love, Luuuuuuuuu. 5 out."These are the harsh realities of the NBA. You can't keep the same group of guys forever. Eventually, roster change happens. The Thunder experienced that this summer as they had to part ways with three players who helped them bring home the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2025.But doesn't mean you can't value your time in OKC. Dort carved out a legitimate NBA career on the Thunder. He witnessed them firsthand go from a rebuild to an NBA champion. Along the way, he developed into a household name thanks to his defense and big-time playoff performances. Good to see that reflected in his highly anticipated goodbye letter to his first NBA home.View this post on InstagramLu Dort says goodbye to OKC: pic.twitter.com/PnFYuVb5rH Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 5, 2026Lu Dort posted a tribute video of his time on the Thunder to accompany his goodbye letter: pic.twitter.com/uf05KgMJoB Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 5, 2026This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Lu Dort pens heartfelt goodbye letter to OKC: 'Ill forever be grateful'

Four-star safety Giovanni Tuggle will visit Tennessee for a football game against Alabama on Oct. 17, according to Benjamin Wolk of 247Sports. He will also visit Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Florida, Clemson, Alabama, Florida State and LSU this season.The 6-foot, 175-pound prospect is from Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 6 safety in the class and No. 9 player from Georgia.UAB was the first school to offer Tuggle a scholarship on Oct. 23, 2024. Other schools to offer him scholarships include Penn State, Oklahoma, Auburn, Jacksonville State, Jackson State, Charlotte, Georgia, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Colorado and Missouri.Tennessee does not have a commitment in its 2028 recruiting class. The Vols have 19 commitments in their 2027 football recruiting class: linebacker JP Peace, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, quarterback Derrick Baker, athlete Jaden Butler, wide receiver KeSean Bowman, defensive back Carter Jamison and defensive back Brandon Leavell, tight end Malik Howard, defensive lineman Christian Mays, cornerback Dylan Haley, linebacker Kenneth Simon II, kicker Ford Fehling, long snapper Sam McKeown, offensive tackle QMari Hudson, athlete Dayon Cooper, safety Marcus Jones, offensive tackle Niko Kampas, running back David Gabriel Georges and running back Asa Barnes.More: Breaking down 2026 preseason US LBM Coaches Poll top 25 rankingsFollow Vols Wire onFacebookandX(formerly Twitter).This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Four-star safety will visit Tennessee for Alabama football game

Ever since it became an NCAA Division I school, California State University, Fresno has appeared in the NCAA Tournament six times and reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1982. It also made it to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 10 times, while winning that competition in 1983.Twenty of its players went on to get drafted into the NBA. The most well-known Bulldog to play in the league is Paul George, who has made the All-Star team nine times, been chosen to the All-NBA team six times and has earned four nods to the All-Defensive team.Throughout their history, the Los Angeles Lakers have drafted two members of the Bulldogs. Here is a look at both of them.Gary Alcorn -- centerAlcorn spent two years at California State University, Fresno and averaged 18.4 points and 13.7 rebounds a game there. The Lakers took him in the 13th round of the 1958 draft, and the following year, the Detroit Pistons took him in the third round of the draft.He played two seasons in the NBA, with one of them coming with the Lakers, and he averaged 3.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 10.8 minutes a game for his pro career.Chris Jeffries -- wingJeffries transferred to California State University, Fresno after one year at the University of Arkansas. After putting up 12.9 points a game with the Bulldogs, the Lakers selected him with the No. 27 pick in the 2002 draft.Los Angeles immediately traded him, Lindsey Hunter and a 2003 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors for Kareem Rush, Tracy Murray and a 2003 second-rounder. Jeffries played two years in the NBA and registered 3.9 points in 12 minutes per game.This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Every California State University, Fresno player drafted by the Lakers

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III spoke with reporters after practice on Tuesday at Missouri Western State University. He discussed his care for the younger players in the running back room, watching him as a veteran mentor."Just bringing guys with me. I have been here longer than them in (the) league. I don't want them to make the same mistakes I made when I was just getting to the league, if that makes sense," said Walker. "I want them to learn quicker than I learned. I don't want there to be a drop-off at all. So, making sure those guys are good. They have been doing great. Everybody in the room has been doing great. I just want to make sure we are all on the same accord."During the 2025 season, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards to go along with five touchdowns. He also made an impact in the passing game with 31 receptions for 282 yards. Kansas City revamped the running backs room to be led by Walker, with rookie Emmett Johnson added in the draft, Free agent signing Emari Demercado, and second-year player Brashard Smith.The Super Bowl LX MVP is expected to be an upgrade over last year's Chiefs unit, which had no player reach 1,000 yards.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Kenneth Walker III discusses leadership in the running backs room

Explosion-proof lighting plays a critical role in ensuring worker safety and operational efficiency across hazardous industrial environments where flammable gases, vapors, dust, or combustible particles are present. These specialized lighting systems are engineered to prevent internal sparks or explosions from igniting surrounding hazardous atmospheres. Industries such as oil and gas,...

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