SPORTS

U of L hoops players accept ALS challenges

Jeff Greer

@jeffgreer_cj

Wayne Blackshear, right, would sometimes seem to disappear in games last season. Cardinals coach Rick Pitino is seeing a new Blackshear coming into his senior year. “I don’t want to get my hopes too high, (but) this is the best Wayne has looked in a long time,” Pitino said. At left is guard Terry Rozier.

Here's a little fun and goodwill on your Monday: The now viral ALS ice water bucket challenge has reached the Louisville basketball team.

We've seen some really good ones across the country, from Kliff Kingsbury's rockstar video to Nebraska coach Tim Miles' staff enduring the cold rush.

Over the weekend, Instagram videos from Wayne Blackshear, Terry Rozier and Mangok Mathiang popped up, with several more challenges of their teammates on the way.

If you haven't had a chance to catch up on what this all actually is: The ALS ice water challenge is intended to raise money for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which eventually leads to total paralysis except for the mind. A recent story from the New York Times says the challenges have raised some $13 million toward ALS research since July 29.

The challenge is simple: Dump ice water on your head or give $100 toward ALS research. Most people accept the ice water challenge -- and then donate money anyway.

Here are Blackshear, Mathiang and Rozier's videos: