Quick Links: Damir Collins, Ketron Jackson, Gary Payton, Budget Cuts & Hoop.Camp

• Damir Collins, one of the top running back prospects in the 2021 class, has announced via Twitter what day he will make his college commitment, which will be just ten days from today on June 17th. Collins is from Jefferson High School in Portland and will be deciding between the likes of California, Maryland, Ole Miss and Oregon State. According to 247 Sports, Collins is the 2nd-best all-purpose back in the 2021 class, trailing only Clemson commit Will Shipley.

• In more strong recruiting news for the football program, the Beavers have also made the final list of schools for four-star receiver Ketron Jackson. Jackson, who is a 6’ 2”, 185-pound target from Royse City High school in Texas is also considering Arkansas, Colorado, SMU, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M, in addition to the Beavers. However, according to 247 Sports “Crystal Ball predictions”, Arkansas and TCU could be the favorites in the mix here.

• Our old friend Gary Payton may not be happy with Michael Jordan for what he said during “The Last Dance”, but he’s also wasn’t a fan of John Stockton either during his playing days either, more this time for what the Hall of Fame point guard simply didn’t say. Payton, who was known as an antagonist during his NBA career, told KNBR’s Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show that he “hated (Stockton) more than anybody in the NBA at the time”, simply due to the fact that the Jazz guard was cool, calm and collected recipient to the Glove’s verbal taunts.

• In some not so positive news related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Oregon State athletic department, the school has announced budget-reducing measures for the next fiscal year. These changes include budget reductions, salary reductions, hiring and salary freezes and worst of all, a reduction of 23 positions within the department “via non renewals/layoffs, retirement, and selective hiring freeze on open positions.”

• And finally, a really great article featuring “Hoop.Camp”, a nonprofit organization which works under the pillars of “inclusion, acceptance and engagement” with special-needs athletes, features both Oregon State basketball head coach Wayne Tinkle and Beavers all-time leading scorer, Tres Tinkle. The Oregon-based organization can’t run their camps as normal due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so instead, they’re finding ways to keep their spirited message alive via virtual challenges from many college athletes and coaches, including the Tinkle father-and-son combo.

ICYMI

• How Central Catholic’s Football Program Is Navigating The Off-Season During The COVID-19 Pandemic
• Athlon Sports: Six Oregon State Players Land On Projected 2020 Pac-12 All-Conference Teams
• 2020 Lott IMPACT Trophy Award: Hamilcar Rashed Jr. Included On 42-Player Watch List
• OSU Basketball: Five Class Of 2021 Prospects You Need To Know
• OSU Football: Tight End Rocco Carley Dismissed From Team For Use Of Racist Language