Report: Lynch talks to Raiders
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Retired running back Marshawn Lynch visited the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday as he decides whether to come back to the NFL and the team decides whether it wants to acquire the hometown favorite. A person familiar with the visit said Lynch came to the facility to meet with Raiders officials. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the visit wasn’t announced by the team. The visit was first reported by recently retired Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee, who now writes for Barstool Sports. Seahawks general manager John Schneider told a Seattle radio station that he has discussed a deal to send Lynch to Oakland with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie in case Lynch does come out of retirement. The Seahawks still hold his rights but would be unlikely to want to pay his $9 million salary for this year if he decides to come back. Schneider also said it’s true that the team has listened to trade offers regarding cornerback Richard Sherman, but the GM downplayed that a deal may actually happen.
BASKETBALL
› LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky forward Bam Adebayo said he’ll enter the NBA draft, the third Wildcats freshman this week to announce his departure. He said he won’t hire an agent, though, leaving the possibility of returning to the Wildcats. The 6-foot-10 Adebayo has until May 24 to decide. Adebayo said in a statement Wednesday that he learned and improved last season, but he wants to be sure he’s “making the right decision for me and my mom.” He averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks to help Kentucky reach the NCAA tournament South Regional final before losing 75-73 to eventual national champion North Carolina. His draft decision follows those by freshman teammates De’Aaron Fox and
Malik Monk, both of whom will hire an agent.
› OMAHA, Neb. — An investigator for a Nebraska law enforcement agency said Wednesday he is reviewing hundreds of confirmed or possible threats against an Omaha basketball official who worked Kentucky’s NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina. Matt Barrall of the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department said he was in his fifth day working full-time on the case, and no end was in sight. “We are taking this very, very — extremely — seriously,” Barrall said. “Some people might say, ‘Oh, it’s just a basketball game.’ But what if some mentally unstable person decides this is the way to make a name for himself?” Referee John Higgins’ roofing company was inundated with harassing emails, phone calls and voice mails — including death threats against Higgins and his family — starting shortly after the game ended. Kentucky coach John Calipari criticized the officiating during his postgame news conference.