The Rock Chalkboard

3-star Tawfiq Thomas talks 'great visit' to Kansas, upcoming list cut
"I think it's the right time because, as I was taking my visits, I feel like I know where I want to be at," Thomas explained to Phog.net. "Kansas was my first visit, and it was a great visit. And I've got Iowa State next week. So I just wanted to narrow down my schools and be ready for my commitment."

How Marcus Morris made Game 7 history in win over Dallas
In fact, Morris hit the shot that effectively ended the game. With 1:16 to play, Morris drilled a 3-point jumper to put the Clippers up 13, effectively serving as the game-ender.

Kansas CB Karon Prunty, freshman All-American, to enter transfer portal
"First I would like to thank coach Jackson and coach Miles for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play for the University of Kansas football program and earn an education," Prunty wrote in a note posted to Twitter. "I made lifelong friends while I was there and it was a very hard decision to make, but I had to make this decision due to personal reasons. With that being said, I've decided to enter the transfer portal."

Latest Big 12 Championship odds released
The Big 12 Conference sets up to have a very interesting 2021 season. From Oklahoma getting national championship buzz to Steve Sarkisian entering his first year at Texas and Iowa State poised to open the year as a preseason top 10 team after falling just short in Arlington to the Sooners last year, there figures to be major competition for the conference championship.

3-star CB Anthony Davis recaps Kansas visit, planning to return
Anthony Davis had been hearing from Kansas before the coaching change in Lawrence. He had been talking to two assistants — Chevis Jackson and Emmett Jones — so one could imagine he was pleased when both got the chance to remain on staff as Lance Leipold took over.

Marquise Collins on Kansas visit: 'Way more than what I expected'
He continued: "The program has changed. I like the new stuff they have going on. Like in the weight room, they're doing stuff differently. And I liked the locker room and stuff like that."

Bits o Chalk

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona backs transgender athletes' rights
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona told ESPN that transgender girls have a "right to compete" and suggested that the Biden administration will step in to protect those students' civil rights, as multiple states enact legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports.

Cristiano Ronaldo checking transfer interest despite Juventus talks - sources
Cristiano Ronaldo's representatives are continuing to gauge interest from some of Europe's top clubs despite holding talks with Juventus over the Portugal captain's future, sources have told ESPN.

USMNT-Mexico Nations League final halted for anti-gay chant by fans
The CONCACAF Nations League final in Denver between the United States and Mexico was marred by unruly fan behavior that included objects thrown onto the field and a brief pause in the game because of fans using an anti-gay chant.

Logan Paul goes distance with Floyd Mayweather in exhibition boxing match
YouTube star-turned-prizefighter Logan Paul went the distance with Floyd Mayweather -- all eight rounds -- on Sunday night in an entertaining exhibition boxing match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Paul's coach, Milton Lacroix, told ESPN last month that success in this fight for Paul would be going the whole way. And that's what Paul did.

Naomi Osaka backs out of Wimbledon tune-up in Berlin
Naomi Osaka pulled out of next week's Berlin WTA 5000 grass-court tournament on Monday, raising doubts about the four-time Grand Slam champion's participation at Wimbledon later this month.

Eraser Dust

Flathead man achieves dream of summiting Mount Everest | Daily Inter Lake
Forty-nine year old Steve Stevens has hit the wall. Sweating profusely and not feeling his best, he finds a large rock on which to take a break from his long climb.

Biden’s vaccine push fails to gain traction with African Americans - POLITICO
The Biden administration knew the key to a successful Covid vaccination campaign would be reaching the most vulnerable populations. But more than five months in, even a blueprint that’s worked with other ethnic and racial groups isn’t doing enough to win over Black Americans.

Joe Manchin defends bucking voting rights bill and digs in against eliminating the filibuster - CNNPolitics
"I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster," Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia, wrote in an op-ed published in the Charleston Gazette.

New owners look to bring life back to historic Somers Mansion
Sitting at 7,900 square feet, the 117-year-old historic Somers Mansion offers a beautiful look into what once was, as new owners dream about what could be.

David Dushman, last surviving liberator of Auschwitz, dies at 98 - CNN
David Dushman, the last surviving soldier who helped liberate Auschwitz-Birkenau, died on Saturday at the age of 98, the Jewish community of Munich and Upper Bavaria said in a statement on its website.