High Noon Highlights (5/13): Marcus Smart supporting health care workers

It’s high noon...

Marcus Smart is still assisting:

The former Cowboys is helping New England health care workers in a Massachusetts hospital by paying for their lunch. This isn’t a surprise for people that know of Smart’s heart for philanthropy.

“This kind gesture is consistent with what we have heard about the generosity and humanity of Marcus Smart,” said Lawrence Rhein, M.D., Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at UMass Memorial Medical Center. “We are fortunate to have athletes of this caliber who are willing to not only make a personal contribution, but through their efforts also shine a bright light on the work of our caregivers. On behalf of the pediatrics department I want to say thank you to Marcus for his kindness, and to wish him and the Celtics a safe and successful return to the basketball courts.” {NBC Sports Boston}

Cowboy Baseball has record number of All-Big 12 Academic selections:

This year’s Cowboys are pretty smart.

Highlighting the list of Cowboys is senior C.J. Varela, who earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for the third time in his career. Joining Varela on the first team were fellow seniors Max Hewitt, Ben Leeper, Carson McCusker, Jacob Ruder and Ryan Van Leeuwen, juniors Dylan Gardner and Noah Sifrit, sophomore Roman Phansalkar and redshirt freshman Josh Spiegel. Four Cowboys earned spots on the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, with that list including seniors Cade Cabbiness and Alix Garcia and sophomores Brett Standlee and Mitchell Stone. {Okstate.com}

Matt Wolff chats with his coach:

Matthew Wolff has talked a lot about wanting a coach who would work with his unique swing, not try to change it. He talks about that and more with his coach George Gankas on the PGA Tour’s Up & Down Podcast.

Dez Bryant makes list of All-Decade Players:

Former Cowboys (both Dallas and OSU) was named No,75 on PFF All-Decade players of the 2010s.

It’s interesting how they speak of Bryant’s career as almost two different chapters. Early on, Bryant was as dominant as they came and managed to thrive in the Cowboys ball-control, run-first offense. From 2011-2014, Bryant was a monster. He averaged 1,215 yards a season over that stretch, with an annual average of 12.5 touchdowns. He also averaged 14.5 yards per reception in that span.

It looked like he was on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Then injuries hit. In September of 2015, he broke a bone in his foot and missed half of the season. His return was earlier than expected and he didn’t look quite the same. The following year, again in September, he suffered a hairline fracture in his knee. Bryant only missed three games but that was also an aggressive return from injury. It’s something that Bryant would advise against to younger receivers following behind him. {Blogging the Boys}

Around the Big 12:

OSU, OU dealing with baseball getting shortened draft

Breakout candidates for 2020-21 basketball season

Texas Tech could play Texas A&M this season?

Around Sports:

Globe Life Park to host Drive-In concerts

NCAA won’t mandate uniform start date

Arizona Governor says pro sports can resume Saturday

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