The Rock Chalkboard

RJ Hampton: No regrets choosing pro route over KU basketball
"I definitely am satisfied," Hampton said. "You know, a lot of people might not see it because you see games and ... you see a lot of hype with college. But I’m going up against guys like Sek Henry, Scotty Hopson, those established overseas pros for 10-11 years, every single day in practice. I mean, they’re not taking it easy on me. So from when I was first in my NBL games in October until January, I think I’ve gotten so much better just practice-wise. I mean, I’m going up against those guys every single day. I don’t think I could have asked for better competition, for sure.”

Why KU football offer 'means a lot' to 2021 QB Braedyn Locke
Braedyn Locke's numbers are nothing to scoff at. As a sophomore — yes, a sophomore — at Rockwall (Tx.) high school, Locke threw for 4,231 yards and 52 passing touchdowns.

Three KU football questions entering the summer: Safeties
Entering the 2019 season, seniors Mike Lee and Bryce Torneden were the two highest-graded returning safeties in the Big 12 according to Pro Football Focus. Add Jeremiah McCullough, prior to his season-ending injury, Davon Ferguson and Ricky Thomas to the mix, and KU might've had the deepest safety room in the conference in 2019.

Where the Big 12 recruiting classes rank for 2021
It should be noted that verbal commitments are non-binding and prospects in the 2021 class won’t be able to make it official until the Division I Early Signing Period, which begins on Dec. 16, 2020, and ends on Dec. 18, 2020. Those who elect not to sign during the early period will be able to do so on National Signing Day on Feb. 3, 2021.

Bits o Chalk

California State University system to stay online, leaving fall sports in air
The 23-school California State University system will primarily remain in a virtual learning model this fall as the country continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, CSU chancellor Timothy White said Tuesday. That raises questions about the ability for member schools to field athletic teams for the rest of 2020.

NCAA won't mandate uniform return to college sports, Mark Emmert says
The NCAA won't mandate or oversee a uniform return to college sports, NCAA president Mark Emmert said Tuesday, leaving decisions on start dates to state officials and university presidents.

Arizona governor says pro sports can resume without fans May 16
"It would be, at this point in time, according to the CDC guidelines, without fans," Ducey said at a news conference. Citing his public health director, he said, "We could do that safely in the state of Arizona beginning May 16."

Sources: Compensation not discussed in MLB's opening talks with players
A multihour meeting between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association on Tuesday was a first step in addressing the complex issues facing a restart for the sport amid the coronavirus pandemic, though the discussion didn't involve any economic components pertaining to player compensation, sources familiar with the meeting told ESPN.

NBA owners, execs hopeful for return after call with Adam Silver, sources say
Participants on a board of governors call Tuesday with NBA commissioner Adam Silver left the virtual meeting feeling increasingly positive about the league's momentum toward a resumption of play this season, sources told ESPN.

Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time - Nos. 10-1
Standing 6-9 and weighing north of 250 pounds with a 40-inch vertical, James' game is built on power, but his passing ability might be his strongest skill. The four-time MVP and three-time champion has reinvented how an athlete's prime should be viewed; he had the Lakers in the thick of a title hunt as a 35-year-old playing in his 17th season. His chase-down block in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals to help complete a 3-1 comeback against a Warriors team that won 73 games will forever encapsulate his will to win.

Eraser Dust

Noel Gallagher's coke habit left him hospitalized with 'brutal' panic attacks
“I did have to check into hospital once,” Gallagher noted (via The Sun). “Imagine having the psychosis and having to have to go to hospital. They don’t understand a word you’re saying because of your accent and you’re like ‘I think I am on my way out.'”

Canada's Calgary Zoo to return two pandas to China - CNN
The duo, named Er Shun and Da Mao, were supposed to stay in Canada until 2023 as part of a 10-year agreement with China, but the zoo decided to send them back early out of concern that delays could worsen if there's a second wave of coronavirus cases.

Trump admin ignores CDC plan designed to avoid coronavirus 2nd wave - Business Insider
The Trump administration disregarded much of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report containing detailed guidelines for how lift lockdown measures in the US while avoiding a resurgence of coronavirus cases.

Woman illegally enters Yellowstone, falls into thermal feature while taking pictures
A woman who illegally entered Yellowstone National Park fell into a thermal feature while taking pictures and suffered burns.

Pressure Intensifies on County to Remove Health Board Member - Flathead Beacon
According to a letter from city leaders in Whitefish, Bukacek’s recent actions “rise to the level of malfeasance, violate the public trust and cannot be tolerated.”

If You Found That ‘Plandemic’ Video Convincing, Read This Too
The video is “part one” of an upcoming movie called Plandemic, and consists of a single interview between the filmmaker and virologist Judy Mikovits. She says that the COVID-19 pandemic was somehow created in a lab or is being allowed to spread on purpose (her story shifts a bit). There are a few subtle truths here, but nearly all of the actionable advice—whether to wear a mask or accept a vaccine, for example—is dangerously unsupported. If you’re having trouble figuring out whether to trust this video, or what information in it is true and what is false, we’ll break it down for you.

Song of the Day