New law nixes Cal-Kansas series

An anti-discrimination law passed in California in 2015 that took effect Jan. 1 has ended talks between Cal and Kansas regarding a potential home-and-home series.

According to a Lawrence World-Journal story cited by ESPN, the law does not allow California public colleges or universities to visit teams in states that have laws that allow discrimination against the LGBT community. Kansas has a “religious freedom” law that allows student groups to be discriminatory in their membership practices based on those groups’ beliefs, the World-Journal reported.

According to multiple reports, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee also have laws deemed discriminatory and would be on the list of states that California teams would be prohibited from visiting.

Wooden finalists named:

The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the list of candidates for the 2017 John R. Wooden Award.

The 20 finalists include Florida State’s Dwayne Bacon, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, North Carolina’s Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson, Oregon’s Dillon Brooks, Notre Dame’s Bonzie Colson, Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, Washington’s Markelle Fultz, Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ, Villanova’s Josh Hart, Kansas’ Josh Jackson and Frank Mason III, Central Michigan’s Marcus Keene, Duke’s Luke Kennard, Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen, Baylor’s Johnathan Motley, Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan, Maryland’s Melo Trimble and Gonzaga’s Nigel WilliamsGoss.

Thomas leaves Pirates:

Seton Hall junior guard Jevon Thomas left the program. No reason for the departure was given.

Thomas transferred from Kansas State and sat out last season. He appeared in 10 games for the Pirates.

BYU guard has surgery:

BYU point guard L.J. Rose is scheduled to have surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

A transfer from Houston, Rose has started all 25 games and averaged 4.5 assists in his first year at BYU.