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Oregon Ducks News: New DB Lherisse cut like a diamond, NCAA opens up sports betting, Sabrina slumps

A daily rundown of stories, highlights and links in Oregon sports
ByDale Bliss|
Potawatomi Sports Book patrons watch the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee.
Potawatomi Sports Book patrons watch the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee. | Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon football recruiting: New Duck nickel back is as intense and finely-tuned as they come

Oregon defensive back commt Xavier Lherisse is a little bit overlooked as a four-star 2026 prospect.

The Eau Gallie High School, Melbourne, Florida recruit is ranked No. 243 in the class, the No. 9 nickel according to Rivals. Lherisse amassed over 40 offers, including Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Florida State before choosing the Ducks.

He competes in football, basketball, baseball and track for the Commodores, a point guard in basketball, a centerfielder on the diamond. Over his first two seasons the three-year varsity star had already piled up 78 tackles, 9 interceptions and 862 return yards.

His father is the team's strength and conditioning coach.

Before the 2024 season he told Juan Rodrigues of the Space Coast Daily, "We didn't have a lot of discipline last year. I expect this season we'll be more disciplined." The team turned in a 12-1 record and won the 3A regional title.

He prides himself on being an aggressive player with a "see ball, get ball" mentality. Derwin James is his athletic role model. Lherisse likes the Chargers All-Pro's downhill, combative style. The immediate Oregon comparison that leaps to mind is Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland.

NCAA considers legalizing pro sports gambling for athletes and staff

The NCAA's Division I Council is considering a proposal that would lift the ban on professional sports gambling by athletes, coaches and staff, while keeping in place restrictions on betting college sports.

The reason for the move is two-fold, one, because enforcement is increasingly difficult with the proliferation of online betting platforms and casino sports books in multiple states.

The other and more significant reason is that the existing regulations discourage people who develop gambling addictions from seeking help, since coming forward means risking losing the opportunity to coach or compete.

Another factor is hypocrisy. Sports and the gambling industry are inextricably tied by promotions, sponsorships and marketing. FanDuel and DraftKings are ubiquitous on scoreboards, Sports Center or the information bar below nearly every telecast. The box has already been opened.

Sabrina Ionescu struggles as Liberty snap slump

Losers of three of four, the defending champion New York Liberty bounced back Wednesday night with an 81-78 win over the Golden State Valkeries in San Francisco.

All-star point guard and Duck legend Sabrina Ionescu returned to the lineup after missing a game with a neck injury, but suffered through an off night shooting, 1-11 from the floor, 1-7 from three-point range. She was a perfect 8-8 at the free throw line while contributing seven rebounds and four assists, held to 11 points.

In second place in the league at 11-3, first in the Eastern Conference, the defending champs continue their road trip Friday night with a 7 p.m. PT game against Satou Sabally and the Phoenix Mercury, broadcast on the Ion Network.

It's another reunion of former Ducks, sisters Nyara and Satou Sabally. Nyara is a forward for the Liberty. The two teams met in New York on June 19 with the Mercury upsetting New York 89-81.

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