Sports in brief for December 4

San Jose State, South Florida to meet in Hawaii Bowl

(FLM) — San Jose State will face South Florida in the Hawaii Bowl, officials announced Tuesday.

The contest will be held Dec. 24 on the Hawaii campus in Honolulu.

The Spartans (7-5) of the Mountain West completed the regular season by beating neighbor Stanford 34-31 on Friday. San Jose State features star receiver Nick Nash, who leads the nation with 104 receptions, 1,382 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.

The Spartans also played in the Hawaii Bowl last season, falling 24-14 to Coastal Carolina.

South Florida (6-6) won four of its last six games, but lost 35-28 to fellow American Athletic Conference foe Rice on Saturday.

“We are excited for the opportunity to compete in the Hawaii Bowl against a very good San Jose State team,” Bulls coach Alex Golesh said in a news release. “Hawaii is a unique and beautiful destination that our players are excited to experience, and we look forward to productive bowl practices and a great game as we continue to build our program.”

Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt sidelined until at least January

LOS ANGELES (TNS) — Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a player who could answer some of the team’s defense and rebounding problems, is now dealing with a knee issue that will push his targeted season debut into 2025.

“During the course of his return-to-play progression, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt developed an effusion in his left knee,” the team said in a statement. “This development altered the course of his progression, and the team is currently targeting early January for his return to NBA games.”

Vanderbilt, 25, had offseason surgery on both of his feet and the team hoped he’d be ready for opening night. However, setbacks and pain have persisted, and the effusion, a collection of fluid around the joint also known as water on the knee, have pushed the target back.

Vanderbilt hasn’t played for the Lakers since he injured his foot on Feb. 1, 2024.

Israel Vazquez, world champion boxer, dies from cancer at 46

NEW YORK (TNS) — Israel Vazquez, a three-time super bantamweight boxing world champion, has died from cancer at age 46.

His death was announced early Tuesday morning by World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.

Vazquez revealed last month he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 sarcoma and was receiving treatment in Los Angeles.

“He can hardly speak and, when he does, he is short of breath. He is very weak,” his wife, Laura Vazquez, told the Los Angeles Times in early November.

A celebrated Mexican fighter who combined devastating punches with speed, Vazquez was most known for his rivalry with Rafael Marquez. The two faced off in four title fights, which they split.

In their third fight, in 2008, Vazquez won despite suffering a detached retina which kept him out of the ring more than a year and a half.

He was able to make a comeback, but lost to Marquez in what turned out to be Vazquez’s final fight.

ESPN, Smith negotiating deal nearing 6 years, $120M: Sources

(NYT) — ESPN and Stephen A. Smith are in negotiations on a historic deal that is in the six-year, $120 million range, sources briefed on the negotiations told .

The near $20 million per year contract is not yet completed. While reported that a deal was close to fruition, one very important figure appears unsatisfied where things stand.

That person is Stephen A. Smith.

When asked over text if a deal is close, Smith simply responded, “False.” After a brief back-and-forth about the particulars, Smith added, “Here’s my quote, ‘I was born AT NIGHT, not last night. I don’t talk about my contract negotiations. Never have. Never will.”

The $20 million a year would be the most ever paid to an ESPN on-air personality without it being tied to a licensing deal.