The Rock Chalkboard

Reintroducing KU football starting QB candidates: Miles Kendrick
Since then, Kendrick has drawn praise for his work ethic, among other aspects of his game. Beaty, in fact, characterized him as a real “student of the game.” However, in a conversation with 247Sports before the season in 2018, Kendrick noted that people outside the program may have the wrong idea about his skillset.

Former KU WBB star Tamecka Dixon recalls inaugural WNBA Draft
"From that point on I kind of knew it was coming," Dixon recalled on the podcast. "It was on the horizon and I had kind of an inside look on what that was going to be from Coach Brown. I knew I had to be as prepared as I could. She didn’t share a lot of intricacies of how the league was going to look and stuff like that with me, but she kept telling me, 'You’ve got to be ready. Be ready. Have a good year.' All of those things that help you to have your footing in the WNBA."

KU hoops news: Date for 2020 NBA Draft, NBA Draft Lottery set
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the 2020 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, October 15. Originally, the draft was set for Thursday, June 25, but things were pushed back after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shutdown of sports across the country.

Former KU football players talk racial climate of United States
"During these times don’t let yourself become numb to all that you see on social media," Wise wrote. "Stand strong! Take action! Protest! Read & Sign a petition! Educate yourself! Pray! Don’t let all this be in vain! #BlackLivesMatter"

NCAA moves deadline to withdraw from 2020 NBA Draft
"This option provides student-athletes up to two months beyond the original withdrawal date of June 3 to decide," a statement from the NCAA read. "The goal of the decision is to match the intent of the current rule, which offers players the opportunity to be evaluated by and seek feedback from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee and to participate in team workouts and the draft combine if invited."

Bits o Chalk

Ex-Alabama gymnast Tia Kiaku says she faced racism on team
Former Alabama gymnast Tia Kiaku described in a social media post on Tuesday the systemic racism she experienced during her time on the team, including a racist joke from an assistant coach and fellow teammates using racist language.

Bills rookie QB Jake Fromm apologizes for 'elite white people' text
"I am extremely sorry that I chose to use the words 'elite white person' in a text message conversation," Fromm said in a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday afternoon. "Although I never meant to imply that I am an 'elite white person,' as later stated in the conversation, there's no excuse for that word choice and sentiment.

MLBPA stands firm against additional pay cuts, 'resoundingly' rejects league's plan
Major League Baseball players will not take another pay cut and have "resoundingly rejected" the league's plan to begin the season, according to a statement Thursday from union executive director Tony Clark.

The NBA is back, and here's what we can't wait to watch
Now that the league's board of governors has officially approved a return-to-play plan -- featuring eight regular-season games, a potential play-in tournament and the postseason -- here's our early guide to all 22 teams and what we're most excited to watch when basketball tips off again.

Eraser Dust

GRAPHIC VIDEO: Two Buffalo police officers suspended after elderly man shoved and injured | WBFO
Shortly after Buffalo’s curfew started Thursday evening, city police and State Police swept through the area of Niagara Square directly in front of City Hall to clear the area where a protest was finishing. An unidentified, 75-year-old man was shoved by two officers in the line. The man lost his balance and fell to the pavement, audibly hitting his head with blood running out from under his head.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski just admitted what we've all known about the GOP for a while now - CNNPolitics
"When I saw General Mattis' comments yesterday I felt like perhaps we are getting to a point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up.

Civil Rights Groups, Black Lives Matter Sue Trump Administration Over Protest Violence : Live Updates: Protests For Racial Justice : NPR
Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Trump administration and federal law enforcement agencies, saying they violated the constitutional rights of demonstrators who were violently evacuated out of a park Monday to clear the path for a photo op by President Trump.

Whitefish man charged after confrontation during George Floyd death protest
A man who the Whitefish Police Department states “became confrontational” during a protest over the death of George Floyd was removed from the scene on Wednesday night.

LeBron James calls out Fox News host Laura Ingraham for defense of Drew Brees - CNN
NBA star LeBron James has called out Fox News host Laura Ingraham for her defense of star quarterback Drew Brees.

Song of the Day