RENTON, Wash. -- Quarterback Russell Wilson announced Monday that he is joining an ownership group led by investor Chris Hansen that is working on building an NBA/NHL arena in Seattles SODO neighborhood.The groups aim is to bring the Sonics back to Seattle.Wilson wrote in The Players Tribune that he became a fan of the Sonics by playing as the team in the video game NBA Jam.I became a SuperSonics fan by playing NBA Jam and watching them on SportsCenter and NBA Inside Stuff, he wrote. I loved their name. I loved their colors. I loved [Shawn] Kemp and [Gary] Payton, and then in later years, I loved watching Ray Allen swish corner threes with that perfect form.Even though we lived in Virginia, I got a Sonics jersey one Christmas and I used to put it on and go play hoops out in front of the house, pretending I was Gary Payton.Wilson also released a statement to The Associated Press.Im blessed and excited to partner with Chris, Wally [Walker], Pete [Nordstrom] and Erik [Nordstrom] and the greatest fans in all of sports to bring the SODO arena to our beloved city, Wilson said. There is no place like the Emerald City. The positive impact sports has on our kids and many generations to come and bringing different cultures and people together is what motivates and inspires me.Hansen and his investment group announced last month that they would pay for the arena with private funds.We couldnt be more thrilled that Russell is joining our partnership and continued efforts to bring the NBA and NHL back to Seattle, Hansen said in a statement to the AP.As you are all aware, we have always kept our focus on doing this for the right reasons -- our love for our city, our love of basketball and our belief that pro sports has the ability to positively influence our youth and bring communities together in a way very few things in this world can. It is with this shared view that we welcome Russell, a young, smart and passionate entrepreneur, as our business partner. We know that his enthusiasm, positivity and never give up attitude will make a huge difference in our effort.The Sonics left Seattle for Oklahoma City before the 2008-09 season.Its crazy to me that kids growing up in Seattle now turn on NBA 2K and they cant even play as the Sonics. It doesnt seem right that theyre gone, Wilson wrote in The Players Tribune. They were a part of my childhood, and I grew up 2,840 miles away.The NBA needs that green and gold back. Seattle needs basketball back. And hockey, too. (The Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917, in case you didnt know.)Pete Carroll was asked Monday about Wilsons involvement.He loves his community, and I think hes interested in being a part of something thats really special here, Carroll said. We all are aware of how dear it is in the hearts of the people around here, and Russell would love to be a part of something like that. I dont know any of the details. 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Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR.BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Sundays Blackbird Invitational finale against LIU Brooklyn was yet another opportunity for the Gators strength - their depth - to shine. Florida started three freshmen and played 13 athletes in a 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-18) sweep of LIU Brooklyn to cap off the No. 8 Gators final road tournament to open the season.After a stellar opening match, junior Rhamat Alhassan was named to the Blackbird Invitational All-Tournament Team, as was Gator redshirt sophomore setter Allie Monserez.Florida improved to 6-1 on the season Sunday with its sixth straight victory and fifth consecutive sweep, highlighted by veterans Alex Holston and Carli Snyder, while freshmen middles Darrielle King and Rachael Kramer had career days, King with nine kills, three blocks and a .667 clip, and Kramer with an error-free .714 hitting percentage, five kills and a pair of blocks. Snyder posted her third double-double this season with 10 kills and 11 digs, while Holston had a team-high 12.5 points for the Orange and Blue.Holston dropped over a season best three aces, freshman Chanelle Hargreaves served up two, and Lindsey Rogers and Allie Gregory each dropped service aces giving Florida seven on the day.Freshman Cheyenne Huskey set the last two points of the second set and the whole final frame for the Orange and Blue, and once again Florida capitalized with several serving runs, two five-point strands thanks to Holston in the second and third sets, and a six-point run by junior libero Caroline Knop in the first.dddddddddddd Knop finished the day with a team-high 12 scoops in the back row, her third most this season.WORDS FROM WISEThis was a great match to get players experience. We see the growth of our freshmen middles and it was a match where they were given the opportunity and took full advantage of it.THE RECORDSNo. 8 Florida: 6-1LIU Brooklyn: 1-8TRENDS* Floridas seven service aces Sunday against the Blackbirds give the Gators five matches this season with at least five service aces* The Gators limited the Blackbirds to a .111 clip Sunday. UF has held five opponents to a .200 clip or lower* The Orange and Blue had just nine attack errors against LIU Brooklyn, marking five straight low-error matches and tying for second-lowest this seasonUP NEXTThe Orange and Blue will wrap up an eight-match road strand at No. 13 FSU Wednesday in mid-week action. First serve for the Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown between the two volleyball foes is slated for 6 p.m. and will stream on ACC Network Extra. As always, Gator play-by-play Tom Collett will have all the action on the airwaves on ESPN Gainesville. ' ' '