Sports Briefs

BASKETBALL

Bliznyuk gets NBA opportunity with Clippers

The path to the National Basketball Association begins in Las Vegas for former Eastern Washington University basketball player Bogdan Bliznyuk, Eastern head coach Shantay Legans said June 23.

The Big Sky Conference all-time leading scorer has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers, and will represent the team in the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas from July 6-13. All five of their games will be broadcast on either ESPN or NBATV.

Since ending his illustrious career in March, Bliznyuk trained in Los Angeles and had workouts with the Detroit Pistons and the Sacramento Kings. Bypassed in the NBA draft on June 21, he also went through EWU commencement exercises on June 16 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in management.

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FOOTBALL

Vernon Adams returns to CFL’s Montreal Alouettes

The Montreal Alouettes announced on June 26 that the club has re-signed former Eastern Washington University quarterback Vernon Adams Junior to a one-year deal.

Adams Jr. (5-10, 195 lbs.) returns to Montreal, where his professional career began in 2016. The 25-year-old quarterback played 33 games in the CFL, including 22 with the Alouettes.

He started the last three games of the 2016 campaign under centre for Montreal, leading the team to victory on all three occasions.

Adams completed 43 of his 78 passes, gaining 583 yards and four majors in the CFL. The Pasadena, Calif. native also carried the ball 49 timesed for 154 yards, while crossing the goal line five times.

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