Thursday Quickies: Nike Signs De’Aaron Fox Edition

Good morning, BBN. Nike has made it clear that they know how good De’Aaron Fox is going to be.

The athletic apparel giant signed Fox to a multi-year deal yesterday. It’s becoming more and more likely that he’ll be a top-three pick, and his speed is certainly going to be quite marketable when selling shoes, so it makes sense. Nike also seems like an obvious choice for Fox; Kentucky basketball is one of their biggest partnerships, and Fox (being the sneakerhead he is) was rocking a different pair of Kobes seemingly every game, so he’s used to the brand and its product.

It’s another step in the right direction for Fox, and a sign that the De’Aaron Fox hype train is still picking up steam as we chug towards the NBA Draft.

Tweets of the day

I just couldn’t help myself.

Your quickies

2019 basketball phenom talks UK visit - KSR
Scottie Lewis has been a highly sought-after recruit since the seventh grade. He recently took a visit to Kentucky with one of his teammates, and they seemed to like the pitch.

Tristan Pompey a player to watch in NCAA Tournament - SEC Country
SEC Country labels the Kentucky outfielder as a player who will be a star in the NCAA Tournament.

Calipari discusses state of SEC basketball at SEC spring meeting in Sandestin - 247
At the SEC Spring Meeting, Kentucky coach John Calipari talks about the rise in SEC basketball. "It's our time," the coach says.

Stoops: “Good Things are Happening at Kentucky.” | KSR
“I really feel like we’re building. We go to prepare to win every game,” Stoops said. “Our expectations are high. We know it’s a tough conference, we still are a work in progress but I like where we’re at. I like the direction of our team, our coaching staff I’m very comfortable with and recruiting’s going well."

Derek Willis hopes to learn from ‘wrong approach’ at UK | Lexington Herald Leader
Derek Willis said he regrets not putting more time into basketball as a Kentucky player. He intends not to repeat that mistake as a pro player. He’s open to playing anywhere as a stepping stone toward maximizing his potential.

SEC Spring Meetings: 14-week football season discussed | Sporting News
According to commissioner Greg Sankey, the NCAA’s Football Oversight Committee, which has introduced the concept of a 14-week season, is seeking feedback from conferences.

Ohio brings top closer to Lexington Regional | Lexington Herald Leader
The Ohio University baseball team is back in the NCAA Championships after a stunning victory in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

2017-18 College Basketball Preseason All-American Team | CollegeBasketballTalk
There may be some surprises on here, like the lack of any Wildcats.

NBA Finals: Yes, the Cavaliers can beat the Warriors | Lexington Herald Leader
The NBA Finals begin Thursday night. The Golden State Warriors are the favorite. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance, however. They have LeBron.

Police looking into a racial slur sprayed on LeBron James's home in LA - ESPN
Police are investigating a racial slur left on the front gate of a Los Angeles home owned by LeBron James, who later Wednesday said what happened "just goes to show that racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America.''

Brian Bowen showcases what's wrong with recruiting scene | Sporting News
In a recruiting class that inexplicably saw Kentucky snatch seven of the top 29 players — somehow they must think they will all get starters' minutes — Bowen's recruitment is still the biggest mystery.

What’s at stake in Cavs-Warriors III - CBS Sports
Behold! The NBA Finals are finally here! The only series that really matters after the rampage that both teams have gone on in the postseason.

John Clayton fired by ESPN - NBC Sports
The layoffs continue...One by one, the best writers, reporters and talk show hosts are dropping like flies.

Adam Silver says LaVar will calm down once his son gets drafted - ESPN
All I have to say is, “I doubt it.” Silver also talks about the league’s parity, and he’s not concerned that the NBA has become a two-team league.

Hue Jackson says Brock Osweiler has done well in camp - NFL
The Cleveland Browns’ head coach praised the man who will probably be his starting quarterback. If he’s really doing well, it’s surprising after his disastrous 2016-17.

MLB cuts down Harper’s suspension - Washington Post
Bryce Harper will now sit out just three games for the fistfight he started against the San Francisco Giants.

The Essential Phone: a first look at the hardware - The Verge
It’s a little blocky, but the screen makes sense

Review: Wonder Woman - Polygon
An Amazon in her prime

Time Warner CEO says $85B sale to AT&T about battling Google & Facebook - Recode
Data. And then more data.