Thunder can be heard from miles away, an early warning that a storm is about to arrive. So, perhaps it's only fitting that the name of Oklahoma City's NBA team didn't sneak up on anyone.

Six weeks after the name first surfaced, team officials officially announced yesterday that the team formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics would be known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"It's hard to keep a secret," team chairman Clay Bennett said after making the announcement at a downtown office building in Oklahoma City.

Bennett said the team colors will be blue, red and orange — blue to coincide to with the main color of Oklahoma's state flag and red and orange to reflect the colors of the sunset.

NFL

JAGS' COLLIER CRITICAL

Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Richard Collier remained in critical condition a day after getting shot while in the front seat of his Cadillac Escalade.

The 26-year-old offensive tackle and former teammate Kenneth Pettway were waiting for two women outside a Jacksonville apartment complex early Tuesday when a gunman fired into the vehicle, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Collier was shot several times, but it was unclear where the 6-foot-7, 345-pound lineman was hit. Pettway was not injured.

Updates on Collier's condition have been scarce because family members requested privacy. Coach Jack Del Rio said yesterday that Collier was still in critical condition.

EX-HAWAI'I PLAYERS SIGN

Four former University of Hawai'i players were signed to practice squads yesterday.

Offensive linemen Tala Esera and Dane Uperesa were signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad, wide receiver C.J. Hawthorne to Buffalo's and defensive end Mel Purcell to Cleveland's.

Former UH running back Reagan Mauia, who was cut on Sunday by the Miami Dolphins, signed a two-year deal with Cincinnati for an undisclosed amount, while former Saint Louis and UH quarterback Tim Chang signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

LSU-TROY POSTPONED

LSU postponed Saturday's football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city of Baton Rouge far worse than anticipated.

The university made the decision yesterday after having a full day to get a handle on damage to the stadium and the community.

The seventh-ranked Tigers' game against the Trojans was rescheduled to Nov. 15.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Quarterback Kyle Boller, sidelined since hurting his shoulder in Baltimore's second preseason game on Aug. 16, was placed on injured reserve yesterday, ending his season. ... San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle yesterday in Los Angeles and his rehabilitation schedule will be determined after his ankle is re-evaluated. ... Former Kansas basketball players Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were kicked out of the NBA's rookie transition program yesterday after being caught in their hotel room with marijuana and women, sources told ESPN The Magazine. ... Golfer Tommy Bolt, known as well for his legendary temper tantrums as for winning the 1958 U.S. Open, died Saturday in Batesville, Ark., the PGA Tour announced. He was 92.