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

Newsmakers: Pelicans hire Danny Ferry as adviser to GM Dell Demps

From staff and wire reports

Hired New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps says he’s hired former NBA player and front office executive Danny Ferry as a special adviser. Demps says Ferry’s “experience, insight and achievements will be a welcomed addition.”

Ferry’s most recent NBA job was with Atlanta, where he was general manager from 2012 to 2015. Before that, he spent a couple seasons in San Antonio’s front office. From 2005 to 2010, Ferry was Cleveland’s GM, building a team around LeBron James that reached the 2007 NBA finals.

The Pelicans are coming off an injury-plagued 30-win season and are trying to strengthen All-Star forward Anthony Davis’ supporting cast.

New Orleans holds the sixth pick in this month’s NBA draft and is poised to enter free agency with considerable financial flexibility.

New Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale has added J.B. Bickerstaff and Nick Van Exel to his staff. The Grizzlies hired Bickerstaff as associate head coach and Van Exel as an assistant coach. Terms of their deals weren’t disclosed.

Retired Chicago Bears offensive lineman Manny Ramirez is retiring. The Bears placed Ramirez on the reserve/retired list on Wednesday. He signed with Chicago in March after 83 games with 65 starts over eight seasons with the Detroit Lions (2007-09, 2015) and the Denver Broncos (2011-14).

Announced Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong will replace Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open. The 23-year-old was the first alternate from the Japan sectional qualifier. The USGA determined that he was first on its alternate list for Oakmont. Thitiphun has never played in a major. He has one career victory on the Asian Tour, this year at the Bangladesh Open. Woods announced Tuesday that he was not ready for competition as he recovers from two back surgeries last year.

Suspended NASCAR has suspended and fined crew chief Chad Johnston for lug nut violations on driver Kyle Larson’s No. 42 Chevy at Monday’s race at Pocono (Pennsylvania) Raceway.Johnston will miss this week’s race at Michigan International Speedway and was fined $20,000. He is also on probation through Dec. 31.

Reported The Utah Jazz reported that guard Alec Burks had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and ankle to clean out debris in the joints, and he’s expected to be ready by the start of training camp.

Awarded Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter has won the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. The award recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, leadership on and off the court as a mentor or role model, plus commitment and dedication to the team.

Died Nigerian soccer player Stephen Keshi, the charismatic and outspoken “Big Boss” who won African Cup titles as both captain and coach of his country, died early Wednesday. He was 54. The Nigerian Football Federation said Keshi died of suspected heart problems and was experiencing an irregular heartbeat and pain in his legs when he was taken to the hospital Tuesday.