Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ex-Zag Rogers Headed To Spain

Former Gonzaga University center Paul Rogers, who was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of this year’s NBA draft, has signed a one-year contract with Real Madrid of the Spanish League.

The contract is reportedly worth $300,000 and was signed with the blessing of the Lakers, according to Rogers’ agent, Jim White.

“He only signed for one year, because the Lakers want him to come back,” White said. “He played pretty well this summer, but they just didn’t feel he was quite ready for the big club, yet.”

Rogers’ new team begins league play next month and could play into June, White said.

Rogers, a 7-foot, 238-pounder from Adelaide, Australia, was an All-West Coast Conference first-team selection as a junior in 1996 and a preseason favorite for WCC Player of the Year honors last winter before suffering a fractured foot early in the year.

He played in only four games as a senior, averaging 15 points and 6.3 rebounds. Rogers considered applying for a medical hardship and an additional year of eligibility with the NCAA, but decided to enter the NBA draft instead.

Softball

Pitcher Smoker Marchand struck out 17 in a 5-0 shutout of Webster City, Iowa, as Spokane Fastpitch split two games at the North American Fastpitch World Series in Fargo, N.D., Friday.

Spokane lost 3-0 to Kegel, N.D., in its first game Friday.

Golf

Jared Herling of Spokane shot a par 72 Friday for a 54-hole score of 223, 17 shots back of winner Damian Hale of Jensen Beach, Fla., in the boys 15-18 division at the IZZO Colorado Junior Roundup in Westminster, Colo.

Bridget Johnson of Spokane continued her stepladder rounds, following an 82-83 with an 84 for 249. She was 29 shots back of girls winner Nancy Abiecunas of Fort Collins, Colo.

Craig Leslie and Matt Schiller, both of Spokane, finished 1-2 in the boys 8-11 division at the Frank Rodia Pacific Northwest Junior Championship in Union, Wash.

Leslie shot a 160 on identical rounds of 80-80 in the 36-hole tournament that ended Friday. Schiller was a stroke back (84-77).

, DataTimes