KERR SPEAKS OUT ON GUN VIOLENCE

Steve Kerr believes NEWARK, CALIF. the voices of America’s youth are finally being heard enough to create real change when it comes to gun violence.

Kerr told students at a Bay Area high school that safety in schools should be their “No. 1 issue,” urged them to vote and consider what they might be able to do to make gun safety and awareness a priority.

Kerr, the Warriors coach who has been outspoken on many social justice issues, drew a big crowd and a standing ovation before sharing how his life was affected by gun violence more than three decades ago when his father was shot dead in a terrorist attack.

“I’m here because I’m a citizen of this country and we’re a democracy and when people say stick to sports, stick to coaching, that means nothing,” Kerr said Monday at Newark Memorial High School. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to speak on something that’s very important to me.”

Kerr joined U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and students from throughout the South Bay to discuss the issue. Also in attendance was Matt Deitsch, 20, whose younger brother and sister stayed locked in closets during last month’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

Footnotes. Celtics guard Marcus Smart has a tendon injury in his right thumb, and the team is still determining whether he’ll need to miss extended time because of the injury. A fellow Celtic, rookie forward Daniel Theis, is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his left meniscus. … Mavericks shooting guard Wesley Matthews will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a broken leg. … Ice Cube is now commissioner of the BIG3 basketball league. — The Associated Press