Among them are two prominent players from New York: Kyle Filipowski, a 6-foot-11 forward who is being heavily targeted by Duke and Kentucky among others, and J.J. Starling, a 6-foot-4 guard who is considering Syracuse, Stanford, Alabama, Connecticut and Notre Dame among a long list of suitors. The interruption caused by new cases may be a preview of the challenge that lies ahead for college sports in the fall. Even as many schools are planning to welcome back capacity crowds for football, vaccine hesitancy could provide a ripe environment for the spread of the coronavirus. Vaccination rates have lagged in the football-mad South, where officials like Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey have said the season hinges on teams and their supporters getting the vaccine. Alabama Coach Nick Saban even appeared in an ad on behalf of the local public health department, urging fans to get vaccinated.

Source: New York Times July 22, 2021 14:37 UTC