FORMER MADISON STAR CHRISTON JOINING SDSU OFFICIAL
San Diego State announced Tuesday running back Kenan Christon has joined the Aztecs’ football program.
Christon’s transfer from USC was reported last week in the Union-Tribune. It became official when his grant-in-aid paperwork was received and processed by the university.
Christon, a Madison High graduate who also was a sprinter on the USC men’s track team, rushed 78 times for 443 yards and two touchdowns (5.5 yards/carry) and added 13 receptions for 126 and three TDs over the 201920 seasons.
Christon played in USC’s 2021 season opener against San Jose State, but was suspended by the school and missed the remainder of the season for an altercation with another USC student. Christon entered the NCAA transfer portal in mid-December.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Christon, who was not made available for comment, will be listed as a junior on the SDSU roster, although he could potentially have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Running back is perhaps the deepest position on the SDSU roster with the addition of Christon. The Aztecs have not yet identified the back who will get the most carries following the departure of lead back Greg Bell, who exhausted his eligibility following the 2021 season.
Super seniors Chance Bell, who carried 72 times for 341 yards and four touchdowns last season, and Jordan Byrd, who had 37 carries for 246 and three TDs, are the most experienced returners. They came out of spring camp listed as co-starters at the position.
KIRK KENNEY
NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson returned to work, joining his teammates for the second week of organized team activities.
Johnson, a Pro Bowler last season, did not participate during last week’s three OTA sessions. The sessions, as coach Mike Tomlin has noted repeatedly, are voluntary. The 25year-old Johnson is ready to enter the final season of the rookie contract he signed after
the Steelers selected him in the third round in 2019.
Sports and courts
At the request of prosecutors, a suburban Denver judge dismissed charges against Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy stemming from a dispute with his girlfriend that landed him in jail.
That allowed Jeudy to attend the Broncos’ OTA practice Tuesday afternoon.
• Danielle Wade, the former longtime partner of exNFL quarterback Mark Rypien, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against him alleging years of physical and emotional abuse.
• Another massage therapist has filed a civil lawsuit against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, raising the number of women who have accused him of sexual misconduct to 23.
WNBA
A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Jackie Young scored 21 points to help the Las Vegas Aces (9-1) secure an 89-81 win over visiting Connecticut Sun (6-3) in a battle of the top teams in each conference.
• Courtney Vandersloot had 18 points and six assists, Candace Parker grabbed 11 rebounds and the host Chicago Sky beat the Phoenix Mercury 73-70 in a WNBA Finals rematch. Phoenix star Diana Taurasi was ejected with 3:43 left in the second quarter for arguing a no-call.
• Ariel Atkins scored a season-high 28 points, Elena Delle Donne scored 13 of her 19 points in the first half and the Washington Mystics (7-3) beat the host Indiana Fever 87-75.
Also
Fox Sports completed its NFL lineup for the 2022 season by announcing Greg Olsen as its lead analyst.
Kevin Burkhardt will be the top play-by-play announcer.
• The San Diego State women’s lacrosse program will be joining the Pac-12 as an affiliate member beginning no later than the 202324 academic year.
• The Cavaliers hired former Lakers coach Luke Walton as an assistant under
J.B. Bickerstaff.