The Rock Chalkboard

Marcus Garrett signs with Miami Heat, reportedly on Exhibit 10 contract
Per Draft Express, Garrett's deal is an Exhibit 10 contract, which is not the same as a normal NBA agreement. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum deal that typically indicates a player is going to be spending most — or all — of their time at the G League level.

Bill Self comments on Marcus Garrett landing contract with Miami Heat
“I talked with Marcus after the draft and he was not disappointed that he didn’t get selected,” Self said. “He seems to have a good feel for the business. He realizes that sometimes not being picked is better than being picked late because now he gets to choose where he wants to go. His agent told me the Heat were very interested in him and this was a possibility.”

3-star OL Jackson Pruitt reflects on earning offer at Kansas camp
"I [was] actually on kind of a tour of the Kansas-Kansas City area," Pruitt said. "We first came and went to Kansas State and Missouri. ... [Then] we went to Kansas."

Kansas Athletics unveils NIL program for student-athletes
Among the parts of the program, students will have access to "social media training," "brand identity training" and partners to develop "expert business acumen." The student-athletes will receive information on NIL protection from the compliance staff while also receiving access to "free legal services" and "courses to get entrepreneurship certificates for non-business majors."

New Kansas football commit Kaleb Purdy opens up on decision
Purdy credited Jake Schoonover, Kansas' lead-Missouri recruiter, for earning his commitment, saying he's "like a big brother." Purdy is the No. 734-ranked player in the 247Sports Composite, which also has him as the No. 51 safety and No. 19 Missouri player in the 2022 class.

Bits o Chalk

Kevin Durant powers Team USA's rout of Czech Republic on record night at Tokyo Olympics
Durant finished with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, which of course was important for the cause, but his playmaking and defense were just as helpful, as he put up eight rebounds and six assists. In the third quarter, he was masterful, scoring 10 points with four of his assists as it went from a tight game to a comfortable blowout.

Olympics 2021 Novak Djokovic denied bronze vs. Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, throws racket
TOKYO -- Novak Djokovic came to the Tokyo Olympics aiming for a Golden Slam. He'll leave without a medal and will need time to recover from a draining performance in extreme conditions that didn't meet expectations.

Simone Biles withdraws from vault, uneven bars at the 2021 Olympics; status for last two individual events to be determined
"Today, after further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," USAG said in a statement. "She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam."

Detroit Lions hold watch party to support Olympic hurdler Melissa Gonzalez, wife of QB David Blough
The Lions held a watch party Friday night to witness Melissa Gonzalez -- wife of quarterback David Blough -- qualify for the Olympic semifinal round of the 400-meter hurdles in Tokyo. She ran a 55.32, which set a Colombian national record.

Elaine Thompson-Herah breaks Florence Griffith Joyner's 33-year-old Olympic record in women's 100 meters
TOKYO -- Elaine Thompson-Herah broke Florence Griffith Joyner's 33-year-old Olympic record in the women's 100 meters, pointing at the scoreboard even before crossing the line in 10.61 seconds Saturday to defend her title and lead a Jamaican sweep of the medals.

Eraser Dust

Simone Biles, Charlie Kirk and Why I Do Not Love America
For years, I have steered clear of saying, “I love America.”

It is difficult to love a thing that does not love you back. However, the idea of loving one’s country is especially difficult for the people who have suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of most of America for most of the nation’s history. My reluctance has nothing to do with this country’s long history of racism and oppression. I don’t hate America, the flag or the anthem...

I just don’t know what it means to love America.

Google may have achieved a scientific breakthrough: Time crystals
Except when it comes to time crystals. Time crystals don’t give a damn what Newton or anyone else thinks. They’re lawbreakers and heart takers. They can, theoretically, maintain entropy even when they’re used in a process.

Dolly Parton Chimes In On Britney Spears' Conservatorship Battle | HuffPost
“So, I understand where she is coming from and how she feels,” said Parton. “So, I hope that all turns out the way that it should.”

US Coronavirus: The surge of Covid-19 infections for unvaccinated people is only beginning, experts warn - CNN
(CNN)With the recent increase of Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations due to the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, health experts and officials expect the surge to worsen as long as large segments of the country remain unvaccinated.

As Fears Grip Afghanistan, Hundreds of Thousands Flee - The New York Times
With the Taliban sweeping across much of the country, at least 30,000 Afghans are leaving each week. Many more have been displaced within Afghanistan’s borders.

'Down the drain’: Millions face eviction after Biden lets protections expire - POLITICO
As the clock runs out on a nationwide eviction ban for what’s expected to be the final time, millions of tenants are staring at the prospect of losing their homes as they wait for emergency rental aid that the government has failed to deliver.

Michael Che Comes Under Fire for Repulsive Jokes About Simone Biles
Newsweek reports that in a series of since-deleted posts in his Instagram stories, Che distastefully joked that he wanted to “make fun of Simone Biles,” referencing what was presumably New York City’s Comedy Cellar as he shared plans to later go to and “say them into a microphone.” Following the post, Che then proceeded to post screenshots of more derogatory jokes sent to him from various followers, ranking them on a scale of 1 to 10.