Yahoo Sports rates the Gophers’ Trevor Mbakwe the No. 12 power forward in college basketball. Mbakwe, who has interest in turning pro instead of returning for his senior season, isn’t included among nbadraft.net’s projected players to be chosen by NBA teams in 2011. Last year the website projected sophomore Gopher forward Rodney Williams as a first round draft pick, but not any more after he averaged 6.8 points.
Next fall WCCO Radio will have its most minimal major sports play-by-play offerings in over 50 years. The station will carry Timberwolves games, but no longer is the broadcast home of any other major pro sports teams or Gophers football, basketball or hockey.
Tim Leiweke, the former Timberwolves executive who is leading the drive to bring the NFL to Los Angeles, is the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year. As chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, Leiweke provided leadership in the development of the Staples Center and the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex that have been credited with helping to economically revive downtown Los Angeles. Earlier this year a $700 million naming rights deal with Farmers Insurance was announced for a new football stadium in Los Angeles.
The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association announced its coaches of the year by classes: 5A, Brad Anderson, Wayzata; 4A, Marc Franz, Rogers; 3A, Mike Kesler, Rochester Lourdes; 2A, Don Seipkes , Ottertail Central; 1A, Denny Lux, New Ulm Cathedral; and Nine-man, Jeff Gronner, Cromwell. Brainerd’s Ron Stolski was honored as the Coach of the Year after setting the all-time state prep record for most career wins, 330.
The Butch Nash outstanding assistant coach winners are Mike Allen, Northfield; Kirk Golberg, Lakeville South; Greg Johnson, Delano; Mark Johnson, Rocori; Jeff Moore, Verndale; Jeff Moritko, Totino-Grace; and Charlie Reed, Cretin-Derham Hall.
Win Willy, owned by Jerry and Marlene Myers’ Jer-Mar Stables of Minneapolis, won the Grade 2 $350,000 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Ridden by Cliff Berry and trained by Mac Robertson, the five-year-old thoroughbred has now won $821,960 in his 18-race career.