Montana
Montana forward Jaxon Nap enters transfer portal
MISSOULA — The Montana Grizzlies men’s basketball program is losing another contributor to the transfer portal.
Sophomore forward Jaxon Nap, who spent two seasons with the Grizzlies, entered the portal on Monday. Verbal Commits first reported the news on social media and MTN Sports has since confirmed Nap’s decision.
The 6-foot-7 Nap, of Renton, Wash., appeared in 62 career games at Montana between his two seasons. A reserve, Nap began to see his role and time expand slightly in his sophomore campaign. While his minutes fluctuated throughout the season, Nap saw more time on the floor in January and early February as a defender with size while showcasing an ability to shoot. Nap was expected to be a big piece for the Griz moving forward.
In 2023-24, Nap averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.0 minutes of action per game. He shot the ball at a 45% clip from the field and was 9 for 30 from 3-point range.
Nap’s biggest moment as a Grizzly came against rival Montana State in Bozeman on Jan. 20 where he scored a team-high 17 points off of the bench as UM topped MSU. In the game, Nap knocked down a pair of key 3-pointers in what was a breakout performance for him.
Nap’s departure is the third known transfer for the Grizzlies this offseason as its shaping up to be a completely new-look Montana squad next winter. Nap joins senior Giordan Williams and redshirt freshman Rhett Reynolds — who has since committed to Montana Tech — as the current Grizzlies with eligibility who will play elsewhere.
Those departures are coupled with Montana losing starters Aanen Moody, Josh Vazquez, Laolu Oke and Dischon Thomas, who all exhausted their eligibility. Fellow starting guard Brandon Whitney was honored on Senior Night by UM, but still has one year of eligibility remaining and has yet to announce his plan for the future.
On Sunday evening, Montana got its first commitment from the transfer portal from 6-5 guard Malik Moore who previously spent two seasons at Pepperdine.
Montana
Former Montana State QB Sean Chambers gets NFL rookie minicamp invite from Carolina Panthers
BOZEMAN — Former Montana State quarterback Sean Chambers was extended a rookie minicamp invitation by the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Chambers, from Kerman, Calif., finished his career with 33 rushing touchdowns, the program’s second-most all time. He was was a first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection following his senior season in 2023 after finishing with 23 total touchdowns (14 rushing), 896 yards throwing and 671 yards rushing.
He also earned AP second-team All-America and Stats Perform third-team All-America honors for his performance last season. In 2022, he earned the Big Sky newcomer of the year accolade after transferring from Wyoming.
Throughout his career with the Bobcats, Chambers finished with 50 total touchdowns, 1,519 yards throwing and 1,516 yards rushing.
He joins former teammates Treyton Pickering and Clevan Thomas Jr., in getting a minicamp invites.
Pickering announced on Saturday he got an invite with the New York Giants.Thomas announced on Wednesday he received an invite with the Cleveland Browns.
No players from the Bobcats or the Montana Grizzlies were drafted, and none have signed rookie free-agent contracts as of Wednesday. All tryout invitations were reported by the Montana State football program via its X account.
Montana
Dear Editor: Governor’s Veto of SB442
Dear Editor,
Did you get your new property tax bill? Well, if you’re not crying or in a fit of rage, the Montana Republicans just gave you another increase in your taxes! Last week, the Secretary of State announced that the Legislature failed to override Governor Gianforte’s veto of SB442, a bi-partisan piece of legislation that flew through the House and Senate by overwhelming majorities.
This important legislation would have directed the use of Marijuana taxes and, according to the Legislative Services Division, invested more than $16 million to fix county roads in every county in Montana. The bill also would have made major investments in public lands, behavioral health, and veteran’s services. Now, these revenues will be directed to the General Fund instead of locally, where they would have been put to good use.
After months of litigation, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the Governor’s veto was unconstitutional. In typical fashion, Republicans cried foul, citing government overreach, and chose to take it out on the taxpayers instead of the increasingly unpopular Governor for his unbelievable actions.
It only makes one wonder if the Governor plans to distribute these funds to his wealthy contributors or corporate interests as he did in 2023.
Maybe you should ask Becky Beard, a sitting Senator, why she declined to vote on this matter. It certainly wasn’t to help the local hunters, recreationists, or taxpayers.
JEFF BENSON
Boulder, Montana
District 38 Senate Candidate
Montana
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