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METTA WORLD PEACE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF XvsX SPORTS
Metta World Peace’s New App Offers Basketball Players and Enthusiasts a Platform to Connect and Play in Skill-Based Pick-Up Games to Gain Attention of Pro Basketball Community
(Los Angeles, CA- January 13, 2021)- Metta World Peace, former NBA Champion All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, is launching XvsX Sports, an app for male and female basketball enthusiasts to discover, connect and play in live, locally hosted pickup games, scrimmages, tryouts and showcase games based on their skill levels. XvsX Sports (https://www.xvsxsports.com/) will be available on January 29th in both the App and Android stores.
Since Metta’s retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, he has dedicated his days to his two passions- advocating for mental health awareness and creating the XvsX Sports app. As a former player, Metta hopes XvsX Sports can tackle the major barrier to entry plaguing the professional and semi-professional basketball community by providing unrecognized and overlooked players with a platform to garner the attention of agents, coaches and scouts. In addition, the app bolsters a community for basketball enthusiasts of all levels by offering engaging user-generated content, educational posts from renowned sports pros, fitness gurus and elite trainers, and the opportunity to make connections based on common interests.
Metta’s excitement about the ability to help players get recognition and professional opportunities is palpable. He explains, "I created this app to help players who have the potential to be star basketball players and who have not had the forum to be discovered. I look forward to their future success."
In the near future, XvsX Sports will select the most skilled players from invite-only Showcase Games to fulfill their professional aspirations by creating a semi-pro XvsX Sports League. Some of the professional players involved in the pro-am games include Baron Davis, B-Dot, Larry Sanders, Chris Copeland and Mamadou Ndiaye. The XvsX Sports League is excited to have other notable participants like Rome Flynn, Dave East, Trinidad James, Julian Newman, Sarunas Jackson, Marquis Trill, Bone Collector and Norman Towns on the team rosters.
XvsX Sports will offer its users an engaging experience no matter what their participation is within the basketball community, as a pro or recreational player, fan, or sports industry professional. Upcoming plans include the creation of an Ambassadors program, becoming a go-to source for basketball news and updates, debuting Leaderboard Awards, opening a store for basketball-related merchandise, streaming and televised games, announcing corporate and gym partnerships and more.
For more information, please visit xvsxsports.com and follow on social links below.
IG: @xvsxsports
Twitter: @xvsxsports
Facebook: @xvsxsports
TikTok: @xvsxsports_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xv
WASHINGTON AT CHARLOTTE GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20 between the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards, the team will not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with the scheduled game against the Hornets.
Please be advised of the following update to the 2020-21 NBA Schedule:
Monday, January 18, 2021
The Detroit at Miami game will change game time from 3:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
As of 1-18-2021 1:33 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA AT OKLAHOMA CITY GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Sixers, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with the scheduled game against the Thunder.
MEMPHIS AT MINNESOTA GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Timberwolves, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Grizzlies.
CLEVELAND AT WASHINGTON GAMES POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2021 – The National Basketball Association games scheduled for Sun., Jan. 17 and Mon., Jan. 18 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena have been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with the scheduled games against the Cavaliers.
BROOKLYN’S IRVING FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2021 – Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been fined $50,000 for violating the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, which among other things prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. The violation occurred when he attended a private indoor party last weekend.
Irving will forfeit salary for any games he misses due to his five-day quarantine period, which will allow him to return to team activities on Sat., Jan. 16 if he continues to test negative.
INDIANA AT PHOENIX GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for Sat., Jan. 16 between the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Suns, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with Saturday’s game against the Pacers.
NBA VETERANS DONTA HALL, JARRETT JACK JOIN IGNITE
– Hall and Jack Add 15 years of NBA Experience to NBA G League Ignite Ahead of February Competition –
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Jan. 14, 2021 – Ahead of February’s single-site slate, NBA G League Ignite has bolstered its roster with the addition of NBA and G League veterans Jarrett Jack and Donta Hall, the team announced today.
A seasoned point guard with nearly 900 appearances at the NBA level, Jack’s career includes stops with the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. He averaged 10.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds across his 14-year NBA career, which includes playoff appearances with New Orleans, Golden State and Brooklyn. Jack spent the 2019-20 season with the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 15.6 points and 5.1 assists.
Hall was voted to the 2020 NBA G League All-Rookie Team and earned Second Team All-NBA G League and All-Defensive honors after averaging 15.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 38 games with the Grand Rapids Drive in his first professional season. The standout forward from the University of Alabama was called up for a 10-day contract with the Pistons last February, appearing in four games for Detroit.
Next month’s competition will mark a return to single-site competition at Disney for Hall, who joined the Brooklyn Nets for six games in the 2020 NBA restart, where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Hall and Jack will train with Ignite onsite in Walnut Creek, Calif. before the team takes to the court at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla. beginning in February.
About NBA G League Ignite
NBA G League Ignite is a first-of-its-kind team dedicated to developing top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. Based in Walnut Creek, Calif., and coached by five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw, the roster includes elite players who are eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft as well as NBA and NBA G League veterans who serve as mentors to the team’s young talent. The one-year program focuses on high-level competition and accelerated on-court development for players who are beginning their professional careers. Additionally, the team provides life skills training that includes financial literacy education, community service involvement and scholarship opportunities. While Ignite is not a traditional NBA G League team, competition includes games against NBA G League opponents and exhibitions against international teams.
WIZARDS AT PISTONS, WARRIORS AT SUNS GAMES POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 – The National Basketball Association games scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15 between the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena and between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena have been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards and Suns, the teams will not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with Friday night’s games.
NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 – Of the 497 players tested for COVID-19 since Jan. 6, 16 new players have returned confirmed positive tests.
Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test, or has been identified as having been in close contact to an infected person, is isolated or quarantined until they are cleared under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.
ATLANTA AT PHOENIX GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Suns, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Hawks.
UTAH vs. WASHINGTON GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tomorrow between the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of ongoing contact tracing with the Wizards, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tomorrow’s game against the Jazz.
NEW ORLEANS AT DALLAS, BOSTON AT CHICAGO GAMES POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 – The National Basketball Association games scheduled for tonight between the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena and tomorrow between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls at United Center have been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
The NBA and NBPA will be meeting today about modifying the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2021 – The Philadelphia 76ers have been fined $25,000 for violating the league’s injury reporting rules, the NBA announced today.
The violation occurred when the 76ers failed to list guard Ben Simmons on the team’s initial injury report for a game on January 9 against the Denver Nuggets in which Simmons did not play.
LAKERS’ MORRIS AND ROCKETS’ COUSINS FINED
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2021 – Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris has been fined $35,000 and Houston Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins has been fined $10,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident, which occurred with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter of the Lakers’ 120-102 victory over the Rockets on Jan. 10 at Toyota Center, began when Morris committed a Flagrant Foul 1 by knocking Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate to the ground.
Cousins continued the incident by shoving Morris to the floor, for which Cousins was assessed a technical foul. Morris further escalated the situation by charging after Cousins, shoving him and continuing to aggressively pursue him. Morris was assessed a technical foul and ejected.
To view the incident, click on the following link: /www.nba.com/watch/video/
NBA AND NBPA AGREE TO ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPLEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2021 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced an agreement on additional measures to supplement the current Health and Safety Protocols governing the 2020-21 season.
In response to the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country and an uptick among NBA teams requiring potential player quarantines, the following measures will take effect immediately:
- Activities Outside the Team Environment: For at least the next two weeks, players and team staff are required to remain at their residence (when the team is in its home market) at all times except to attend team-related activities at the team facility or arena, exercise outside, or perform essential activities, or as a result of extraordinary circumstances. Away-from-work interactions are limited to those with household members, family and any personal staff working regularly in the home. When on the road, players and team staff are prohibited from leaving their hotel (other than for team activities or emergencies) or interacting with non-team guests at the hotel.
- Meetings: For at least the next two weeks, any pre-game meeting in the locker room is limited to no more than 10 minutes in duration and all attendees must wear a facemask. All other meetings involving players and team staff must continue to occur on the court, in a league-approved space, or at the arena in a room large enough to provide for at least 6 feet of distance between individuals. Meeting attendees must continue to wear facemasks at all times.
- On the Road: For team flights, teams must create a seating plan on planes so that players whose assigned seats are closest to each other on the bench for games are also closest to each other on the team plane. All treatment sessions at a hotel, such as massages and physical therapy, must occur in a ballroom or other large open space, with at least 12 feet between individual stations. Facemasks and face shields are required for all individuals during such sessions.
- Game Day: Players are prohibited from arriving at the arena more than three hours before tip-off. During the pre- and post-game periods, players must limit interactions to elbow or fist bumps, avoid extended socializing and maintain 6 feet of distance as much as possible.
- Facemasks: All players must wear facemasks on the bench at all times. Upon exiting the game, and prior to returning to the bench, players can sit in “cool down chairs,” arranged at least 12 feet from the bench with each chair 6 feet apart, where facemasks are not required. Once a player has cooled down, he must return to his assigned seat on the bench and wear a facemask until he enters the game again. Players must always wear facemasks in the locker room, during strength and conditioning activities and when traveling with anyone other than a household member. Coaches and other team staff must wear facemasks at all times during games.
- Testing: Any individual who regularly visits the interior of the home of a player or team staff member for a professional purpose must undergo COVID-19 testing twice per week. For any team with a positive player case or high-risk staff member case, the NBA may require players and team staff to undergo five consecutive days of twice-per-day, lab-based testing, in addition to daily point-of-care testing.
The league’s Health and Safety Protocols may be additionally amended during the season as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
ORLANDO AT BOSTON GAME POSTPONED
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2021 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tomorrow between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics at TD Garden has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Because of testing and contact tracing within the Celtics, the team does not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tomorrow’s game against Orlando.
