White -- a former X Games competitor in skateboarding -- said he isn't yet officially trying for the '20 GamesGETTY IMAGES
Gold Medal-winning U.S. snowboarder SHAUN WHITE said that he is "entering a few skateboard contests this summer to see where he stacks up." White -- a former X Games competitor in skateboarding -- said that he is "not yet officially trying" for the '20 Tokyo Games, but simply entering contests to "see where he stands compared to the best in the world." The IOC added skateboarding to the program for '20, though "neither discipline going into the games -- street and park -- are considered White's specialty" (AP, 7/2).
NAMES: Pacers G VICTOR OLADIPO has "signed with WME for off-the-court representation in all areas." Oladipo has "served as the face of Nike's Jordan Extra.Fly sneakers, and he also moonlights as a singer, winning the NBA Talent Challenge for the past two years straight." WME will help Oladipo "expand his opportunities in music, endorsements, content development and philanthropy" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 6/29)....Capitals LW ALEX OVECHKIN is "bringing the Stanley Cup to the World Cup." Ovechkin is taking the trophy to Moscow on Saturday, where it will be "exhibited at a 'fan fest' public viewing site ahead of Russia's quarterfinal game against Croatia" (AP, 7/3)....Rapper 2 CHAINZ will "headline the free concert during the MLS All-Star week" on July 29 in Atlanta (AJC.com, 7/2)....L.A.-based startup UnBlockable wants to “bring blockchain technology” to the sports market, and has raised $5M in “venture financing.” The startup’s investors include Calif.-based VC firms Shasta Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. UnBlockable was “co-founded” by former NFLer JEB TERRY and entrepreneurs GREG DEAN, EBEN SMITH and KEDRIC VAN DE CARR (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/2)....Former WNBAer TAMIKA CATCHINGS has been “appointed to the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board” by Indianapolis Mayor JOE HOGSETT (IBJ.com, 7/2).
IN MEMORY: Longtime AP college basketball writer and U.S. Basketball Writers Association HOFer JIM O’CONNELL “died Monday after a series of ailments.” O’Connell was inducted into the USBWA HOF in ’02, the same year he earned the Basketball HOF's Curt Gowdy Award for his "coverage of the sport.” Thanks to his “Irish wit, long memory, easygoing personality and perfect timing,” O’Connell always “had an eager audience of TV analysts, other writers, fans and coaches” (AP, 7/2).
