The Rock Chalkboard

Luka Doncic says Devonte' Graham should have been MIP finalist
The finalists for various NBA awards have been announced, and one notable snub was Devonte' Graham. The former Jayhawk did not receive the requisite votes to make the top three for the Most Improved Player award.

See former KU basketball star Joel Embiid's first signature shoe
Under Armour has announced that Joel Embiid's signature shoe — the "UA Embiid One" — will be released on Sept. 18. The shoe is Embiid's first signature shoe and will be released around the time of the Western and Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020 playoffs

2021 C Sam Ayomide likes KU basketball's track record with bigs
"I talked to Kansas [around] two weeks ago," Ayomide told Phog.net. "I got a call from coach [Norm] Roberts. He told me they were interested in me and they were watching my videos and stuff — that I really fit the program with my size and athleticism."

Rock Chalk Roundball Classic returning as televised 3PT contest
The new format? A shooting contest featuring some of the top marksmen in KU basketball history. The goal will be to put shooters from different eras up against each other and see who comes out on top.

Countdown to KU football: A look at the 2020 QB spot (part 2)
As has been well-documented at Phog.net, Thomas MacVittie hasn't exactly had the best circumstances when it comes to his quarterback situation. In fact, he's committed to or played for something like seven different OCs.

Report: Power 5 discussing possibility of no football this fall
Power Five conference commissioners participated in an "emergency meeting" Sunday due to "growing concern" about the possibility that college football cannot be played in this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic, per a published report by ESPN. According to ESPN, Big Ten presidents, after holding a meeting Saturday, are prepared to "pull the plug" on the conference's fall sports season.

247Sports releases updated Top 25 for 2021
And so it's time to update 247Sports' Top 25 for 2021. This season appears to be more stacked than last season, both because of a number of key returning players and the addition of a much stronger and deeper freshman class. Of the four teams projected as No. 1 seeds for last year's NCAA Tournament (which, of course, was canceled) three return at least four players who started multiple games for them last season. Outside of those three teams, four squads that have reached recent national championship games look primed for better 2020-21 seasons than they had a year ago.

Russell Robinson reflects on 2008 matchup against North Carolina
With his team facing insurmountable odds, Roy Williams grabbed an official running by to call a timeout. Williams, who coached at Kansas for 15 seasons, could only look on as the Jayhawks ran circles around his team.

Bits o Chalk

Indians send Zach Plesac home for leaving hotel to go out in Chicago
The 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends on Saturday in Chicago, following his team's win against the Chicago White Sox.

Oakland Athletics OF Ramon Laureano charges Houston Astros dugout, sparks brawl
So following two quiet games at the Coliseum, true feelings seemed to come out and tempers flared Sunday, months after Houston's sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.

Sources -- Power 5 conferences talking about no fall football
Commissioners of the Power 5 conferences held an emergency meeting on Sunday, as there is growing concern among college athletics officials that the upcoming football season and other fall sports can't be played because of the coronavirus pandemic, sources told ESPN.

College football stars hold video call to further unite, issue statement
In a matter of hours Sunday night, more than a dozen college football players from all five major conferences came together to create a joint statement that expressed their desire to play the 2020 season and shared items they feel need to be addressed to ensure a safe and fair environment for student-athletes moving forward. The unprecedented national push for unity comes as one tumultuous week in college sports bleeds into another that threatens to bring more significant change.

Eraser Dust

Trump's executive actions: Breaking down the coronavirus pandemic aid - CNNPolitics
Now, under Trump's measure, the federal government is requiring states to pick up the tab for 25% ($100) of the as much as $400 additional benefit each person may be able to receive weekly in additional aid. On top of that, a state must agree to enter into this financial agreement with the federal government for any unemployed person living there to get any of the additional benefits.

Americans are still paying for sex in Mexico despite the pandemic - CNN
"I'm so scared for my health," said Alejandra, a sex worker in Tijuana, who asked we only use her first name. "I don't know if the person I'm with has the disease or not."

Georgia high school: Teen who shared photo of packed hallway says she's receiving threats - CNN
One message said "I know where this girl lives," she said. Other threats included, "We're going to jump every girl named Hannah in the tenth grade," and, "Hannah is going to have a rough day at school on Monday," Hannah told Boris Sanchez Sunday night on CNN's "Newsroom."

Sioux Nation to block bikers headed to Sturgis rally
A convoy consisting of thousands of bikers headed for a South Dakota rally will not be allowed to cross Cheyenne River Sioux checkpoints on their way to the event, according to a Native American spokesman.

Looters, vandals sweep through Chicago's Magnificent Mile
Hours after Chicago police shot a young man who turned and fired at them, hundreds of people went on a looting and vandalism spree in various parts of the Windy City early Monday, according to reports.