Thomas has written several books since wrapping up his NBA career back in '11NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Former NBAer ETAN THOMAS in his latest book, "WE MATTER," aims to "show the influence professional athletes can have when they join the conversation on race, politics and civil rights." Thomas "conducted 50 interviews" with the likes of KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR, BILL RUSSELL, LAILA ALI, MICHAEL BENNETT and ERIC REID, among "many other athletes, as well as journalists, television personalities and family members of unarmed black men who were shot and killed" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/11).
GETTING COACHED UP: Celtics G KYRIE IRVING said he "had an acting coach" help him prepare for his role in the "UNCLE DREW" movie set to be released June 29. Irving: "I (met) with him about being in front of a camera. Just a lot of redundant actions over and over again trying to get one particular shot." Asked if that was frustrating, Irving said, "There were definitely times on the set where it kind of got maniacal for the amount of hours we worked. I wasn't used to that, 16-hour shoot days. That was a lot. So it was an adjustment from that aspect. But I enjoyed the acting" (NYTIMES.com, 6/8).
TEAMING UP AGAIN? Actor KEVIN COSTNER said he and director RON SHELTON, who worked together on "TIN CUP" and "BULL DURHAM," are "talking about doing something that completes the trilogy of that idea." Costner: "For Ron and me to circle back to each other and create an adult romantic comedy set against the zaniness of sports, it will be interesting to see if we're able to do it" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/10). SBJ this week also takes a look at "Bull Durham" as the film celebrates its 30th anniversary (THE DAILY).
MONEY MATTERS: Citi Field was the locale for some scenes during last night's Season 3 finale of Showtime's "BILLIONS." The fictional hedge fund that is the focus of the show, Axe Capital, took part in a capital raise event at the Mets' ballpark put on BY fictional investment bank Spartan Ives. Characters were shown arriving outside the ballpark, and in a later scene, a suite on the first-base side was used by Axe Capital to pitch investors. Making a non-speaking cameo during the suite scene was Mets broadcaster KEITH HERNANDEZ. Among the other sports personalities who made appearances in Season 3 were Bucks co-Owner MARC LASRY, Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN, Warriors F KEVIN DURANT and tennis player MARIA SHARAPOVA (THE DAILY).
NAMES: Among those spotted at Court Philippe Chatrier yesterday for the men's final at Roland Garros were actors HUGH GRANT, WOODY HARRELSON, HILARY SWANK, CLIVE OWEN, TIM ROTH and JEAN DUJARDIN. PINK FLOYD frontman ROGER WATERS and former soccer player ZINEDINE ZIDANE were also on hand (ESPN.com, 6/10)....Eagles QB CARSON WENTZ, TE ZACH ERTZ, coach DOUG PEDERSON and Owner JEFFREY LURIE, along with other Eagles, "were in attendance" for a KENNY CHESNEY concert Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field, and the team brought the Lombardi Trophy with them on stage. Pederson "led the crowd in an E-A-G-L-E-S chant." Chesney "dedicated the song 'Boys of Fall' to the Eagles" (NBCSPORTS.com, 6/10)....RONDA ROUSEY will be inducted into the UFC HOF on July 5 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas (LATIMES.com, 6/9)....NASCAR HOFer RUSTY WALLACE and Penske Corp. Exec VP WALT CZARNECKI were inducted into the Team Penske HOF yesterday at Michigan Int'l Speedway (Team Penske)....The Red Sox yesterday teamed up with Pan-Mass Challenge with a “special pregame ceremony during PMC Day at Fenway Park." Jimmy Fund Chair LARRY LUCCHINO and Red Sox President & CEO SAM KENNEDY were at the ballpark for "some on-field activities” (BOSTONHERALD.com, 6/11)....British singer ROBBIE WILLIAMS will “perform at the World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow on Thursday.” Williams will “sing alongside Russian soprano AIDA GARIFULLINA shortly before Russia and Saudi Arabia kick off the World Cup at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium (AFP, 6/11)....Golfer RICKIE FOWLER on Friday got engaged to former Cal pole vaulter ALLISON STOKKE in Southampton, N.Y. (GOLFWEEK.com, 6/8).
