MORNING ROUNDUP
NBA cracks down on unvaccinated players as part of its COVID-19 protocols
The NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver don’t have a mandate dictating that all players receive a COVID-19 vaccine for the 2021-22 season.
At least no official mandate. The league and National Basketball Players Association couldn’t come to an agreement on that.
Unofficially, the league has mandated players receive the vaccine.
Not long after announcing vaccine requirements for non-players (coaches, trainers, scorer’s table workers) and after the National Basketball Referees Association agreed that its refs will be vaccinated, the league on Tuesday sent to teams its 61-page COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the 2021-22 season.
The league made it clear it wants players vaccinated and plans to institute greater restrictions for unvaccinated players.
❚ Vaccinated players are not required to undergo regular testing. Non-vaccinated players will undergo regular testing, including rapid tests when at the team facility, participating in team-organized activities or interacting with other team personnel, and must conduct lab-based pregame testing on game days, according to the memo.
❚ Vaccinated players will not be required to quarantine (unless there are unusual circumstances) if they are in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. They are subject to daily rapid testing for seven days. Nonvaccinated players will be required to quarantine for seven days if they are in close contact with a COVID-19 person.
❚ Non-vaccinated players are prohibited from dining indoors in the same room as vaccinated team personnel.
❚ When in their home market, nonvaccinated players are required to remain at their residence except for essential activities such as trips to the grocery store or taking children to school.
❚ Non-vaccinated players are prohibited from going to restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues, large outdoor gathers or other high-risk settings.
❚ It is also possible that non-vaccinated players who can’t play in games where cities require vaccination or miss games while in quarantine will lose salary for each game missed.
New pro hoops team to call Shawnee home
Shawnee will be home to the Potawatomi Fire, a minor league basketball team owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. The team will play at the 3,000seat FireLake Arena and coached by former NBA player Derrick Rowland.
The Fire will be a member of The Basketball League. The TBL gives former college players and NBA players a chance to continue their careers. The Enid Outlaws, the state’s only other TBL team, won the 2021 championship.
Other regional teams include Texas locales such as Dallas, Rockwall, Houston, Beaumont and Waco.
Hall to honor late Faye O’Dell
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame will have its first Leaderdship Luncheon of 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Jeaneen and Bob Naifeh Family/Bud Wilkinson Event Center in Oklahoma City.
The late Faye O’Dell will be honored for his contributions as a football coach and speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His son, John O’Dell, will share memories and recount the life of Faye O’Dell through his influence, mentorshop and character.
The event will have limited capacity. Tickets are $35 for individuals and $350 for sponsorship tables seating 10 people.
Call (405) 427-1400 or email ojames@oksportshof.org for more ticket information.
Extra points
CROSS COUNTRY: Oklahoma State’s cross country course will have a new name. The course will be named after the family of Don and Shellie Greiner as well as Don’s father, Ken, who have pledged a significant gift to OSU athletics.
HIGH SCHOOLS: Bixby has cracked the USA Today Sports Super 25 high school football rankings. The Spartans are No. 22 after a 71-0 whipping of Bartlesville last Friday night. Bixby is 5-0 and No. 1 in The Oklahoman’s rankings for Class 6A-II. The Spartans have won 40 consecutive games.
NFL: The banged-up Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting some reinforcements in the form of a veteran cornerback. The team announced Wednesday morning that it had signed former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. The 33year-old Sherman is a three-time allpro selection and a five-time Pro Bowler.