Canada Day's Friday Morning Wakeup

@MrsTylerKSR

America celebrates its birthday on Monday, but today, our neighbors to the north will celebrate their big day. That's right, today is Canada Day, which marks the joining of the three British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a single country, Canada, in 1867. While Canada wasn't completely independent of England until 1982, Canada Day is considered the nation's birthday, and they celebrate it as such, with parades, parties, fireworks, and lots and lots of Molson Ice. We will celebrate Canada Day by thanking Canada for its various exports: Jamal Murray, Mychal Mulder, Trey Lyles, Kyle Wiltjer, Jamaal Magloire and...Jamal Murray! So, go out, get some poutine, some maple syrup, and raise a Moosehead Lager to the land to the North. Just don't say "aboot" or "eh" too much. Once is enough. Here's what we Americans can look forward to on this beautiful Canada Day...

Kentucky offered Quade Green yesterday

The big news yesterday was John Calipari offering Quade Green, a five-star point guard from Philadelphia. Green has been tearing it up this spring and summer, leading the EYBL in assists and steals. He's the third point guard Calipari's offered in the 2017 class, but has taken over the scene to the point that Cal had no other option than to throw his hat in the ring. Duke offered Green last week, and if Calipari wants another guard to play alongside Trae Young, this could lead to another Coach K/Cal showdown, starting at the Peach Jam next week. To read more about Green, check out my feature from last night.

Malik Newman is headed to Kansas

According to ESPN, the former Mississippi State guard and one-time UK target chose Kansas over Western Kentucky. He'll have to sit out a year, but I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Newman, who will get a much-needed fresh start.

The Orlando Summer League starts tomorrow

Tomorrow, Alex Poythress (Orlando Blue), Aaron Harrison (Charlotte), and Marquis Teague (Dallas) will suit up for the NBA Summer League in Orlando. Games run from Saturday to Friday, and 24 of the 25 will be shown on NBA TV. I'll have the schedule for all the games here in just a bit for you.

Vote for Karl Towns

The new NBA golden child was nominated for "Best Breakthrough Athlete" at the ESPYs, and you can help him win it by voting online through July 13. We'll remind you a lot over the coming weeks, so make it part of your daily routine. VOTE FOR KARL at the ESPYs While you're at it, vote for him to get "slimed" at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards:

VOTE FOR KARL at the Kids' Choice Awards

Adnan Syed has been granted a new trial

Big news for those of you who listen to "Serial," the wildly popular NPR podcast: the subject at the center of season one, Adnan Syed, has been granted a new trial. In 2000, Syed was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, and was sentenced to life in prison. Syed has maintained his innocence, and through "Serial," new information was unearthed, including testimony from Asia McClain Chapman, who claims she saw Syed at the library around the same time prosecutors say Lee was murdered. Yesterday, a Baltimore judge granted Syed a new trial and vacated his conviction, although he still remains behind bars. As someone who listened to "Serial" and "Undisclosed," a second podcast dedicated to the case, I will be watching this story very closely.

Set a reminder for the 4th Annual KSR Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest LIVE BLOG

On Monday, I'll be live blogging the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for the fourth year in a row with Richmond Bramblet. Monday is July 4th, of course, but anyone worth their weight in IPA knows the real fun on July 4th weekend goes down on the 3rth so you have the holiday to recover. Join us as we watch the defending champ, Matt Stonie, take on perennial favorite Joey Chestnut. As an added bonus, former KSR guest host Barstool Big Cat will also be competing, so, if you loved his appearance on KSR, tune in to cheer him on, or if you hated, it, tune in to cheer against him.

Have you seen Vince Wilfork on the cover of ESPN's Body Issue?

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PETER HAPAK FOR ESPN THE MAGAZINE BODY ISSUE[/caption] Now you have. The Houston Texans star is large and in charge, and clearly not afraid to flaunt it. Keep his confidence in mind when you head to pool parties and the beach this weekend.