Kentucky legend Rex Chapman lands starring role at CNN

Rex Chapman, who was a standout basketball player at Kentucky from 1986-88 and went on to put together a 12-year NBA career from 1988-2000, is getting into the television business. CNN announced Tuesday morning that Chapman is joining the network as a host for CNN+, the network’s new subscription streaming service that will debut this year.

With CNN+, Chapman will have “intimate conversations with athletes, entertainers and everyday heroes” as he “looks for the silver lining beyond today’s toughest headlines,” according to CNN’s press release. Chapman’s work will be included as part of CNN+’s slate of original, live programming and be available when the subscription service launches.

Chapman, 54, has been involved in television and radio over the years. He joins CNN after hosting “Block or Charge” for Adult Swim and is also the host of a pair of podcasts – “Charges with Rex Chapman” and “The Rex Chapman Show.” He has also worked as an analyst for Kentucky basketball and a color commentator for TNT during the NBA playoffs.

Additionally, Chapman is also known for his humor on Twitter, as he shares videos of people getting knocked down by something or someone and asks the infamous question ‘block or charge?’

Chapman scored 1,073 career points at Kentucky and was selected eighth overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1988 NBA Draft. He played with the Hornets, Washington Bullets, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns during his time in the NBA.

Following his playing career, Chapman struggled with gambling and using drugs. In September 2014, he was arrested for stealing from an Apple Store in Scottsdale, Arizona and pleaded guilty a year later – agreeing to pay back over $15,000 to the store and also complete 750 hours of community service.

Chapman eventually moved back to Lexington and has stayed clean and healthy since.

Multiple AP poll voters undervalue Kentucky despite dominant week

Although the Kentucky Wildcats – who are now 14-3 overall with a 4-1 mark in SEC play – moved up eight spots to No. 12 in the AP poll, multiple voters undervalued UK in their respective polls this week.

According to CollegePollTracker.com, Kentucky was ranked as low as No. 21 by James Crepea, which is five spots away from the next closest votes of seven voters at No. 16. From there, the Wildcats had votes at every spot all the way up to No. 7 – five at No. 15, nine at No. 14, 11 at No. 13, 14 at No. 12, six at No. 11, three at No. 10, two at No. 9, two at No. 8 and one at No. 7.

Looking at the voters who put Kentucky in the top-10, Bryce Miller, Paul Klee and Stephen Tsai had the Wildcats at No. 10, while Jeff Borzello and Rick Bozich each had them at No. 9 and Geoff Grammer and Jon Wilner each put them at No. 8.

Kentucky’s lone vote at No. 7 came from Jesse Newell.