Monday Quickies: Jerry Bird Edition

It’s a somber day for Kentucky, as UK Athletics Hall of Famer Jerry Bird has passed away at 83. Bird was a basketball player at Kentucky from 1954-56, winning two SEC titles and getting his No. 22 jersey retired in the rafters at Rupp Arena.

Tweet of the day

Your quickies

Former UK Men’s Basketball Player Jerry Bird Dead at 83 | UK Wildcats News
“Jerry Bird was Kentucky through and through,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “He was proud to be a Wildcat and is an important part of Kentucky basketball history. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.”

UK Athletics Taking over SEC Network | UK Wildcats News
The third annual SEC Network Takeover has begun. To lead off the two-week event, UK Athletics will take over the network with 24 hours of Wildcat-focused content.

Tristan Pompey among college baseball's best prospects - Cats Pause
The Kentucky outfielder (and younger brother of a current Toronto Blue Jay) is officially on the MLB's radar.

Approval rating for Kentucky coach Mark Stoops: You decide - SEC Country
Yup, it's time to consider Stoops' approval rating again. I'd say it's pretty good, all things considered. It's weird that he's the only member of the Stoops family to still be a coach at this level.

DeMarcus Cousins Helped Recruit Rajon Rondo to New Orleans | KSR
Former Cat Rajon Rondo agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Saturday joining fellow former wildcats Anthony Davis, Darius Miller and DeMarcus Cousins, who helped get Rondo to NOLA.

The latest buzz on Zion, Bagley and UK’s other top targets | Lexington Herald Leader
Is Kentucky the favorite for Zion Williamson? Is Marvin Bagley moving to the 2017 class? That and more on UK’s recruiting priorities for 2018.

A slam dunk: Spartanburg Day star Zion Williamson 'destined to play in the NBA' | postandcourier.com
It’s still dark outside, more than an hour before dawn, when Lee Anderson feels the tapping on his shoulder.

College basketball programs forced to wait for elite recruits as 'superteam' craze impacts recruiting - Sporting News
Garland has spoken with wing Cameron Reddish and Tre Jones about playing together in Division I. Garland also played on a team several years ago with No. 1 prospect Marvin Bagley and is trying to sell him on choosing the same school.

Ellerbe: Mayweather to pass $1B in career earnings after McGregor fight - Bloody Elbow
Leonard Ellerbe says that Floyd Mayweather will become just the third athlete to pass one billion dollars in career earnings with his Conor McGregor payday.

Allen Iverson doesn't play in Philly Big3 homecoming - ESPN
Allen Iverson walked onto a familiar court to a rousing ovation and then took an unfamiliar spot on the sideline.

Roger Federer Wins Record-Breaking Eighth Wimbledon Title - The New York Times
Federer defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets, making him the man with the most singles titles at the tournament, and, at nearly 36, the oldest man to win it in the Open era.

Lakers reach summer league final, but Lonzo Ball might not play - LA Times
The Lakers Summer League team has won five games in a row and tomorrow they’ll play for the Summer League championship. However, Ball had to exit their last game with calf tightness

‘Game of Thrones’ recap - The Washington Post
In the Season 7 premiere, Cersei Lannister and Jon Snow get used to their new positions of power, while Daenerys continues her long journey.