DUKE PLAYER RESPONSE
Like the rest of his Duke University lacrosse teammates, David Evans kept his mouth shut for two months after the rape accusations. On Monday, Evans became the third player charged in the case, and as predicted, the co-captain proclaimed his and his teammates’ innocence. “I am innocent. Reade Seligmann is innocent. Collin Finnerty is innocent,” Evans said. “Every member of the Duke lacrosse team is innocent. You have all been told some fantastic lies, and I look forward to watching them unravel in the weeks to come.” Yeah, and so does the rest of the country. Evans turned himself in and was released on a $400,000 bond. His next court date is the week of June 19.

DOES EVA LONGORIA DISTRACT TONY PARKER?

While watching the Spurs-Mavs game last night, I was thrilled to see how creative the fans in Dallas are. With hot Tony Parker at the free throw line, a Mensa approved fan held a large cutout of Eva Longoria in an attempt to distract Parker in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinal game. I guess it worked because the Mavericks won 123-118 in overtime over the sexy Spurs.

OFF COURT NBA HOTTIES

Chauncey Billups (left) and Tayshaun Prince (right) of the hot, hot, hot, Detroit Pistons look yummy as they arrive for the game against King Lebron and his Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

NIKE GETS SPANKED IN FRANCE
French authorities yesterday began a fraud investigation against Nike Europe stemming from a probe of French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain’s player transfers between ’98-‘03. Officials allege that Nike’s European affiliate made “bogus royalty payments” to Paris Saint-Germain players, which allowed the team “to avoid charges paid by companies for health and welfare services for workers in France.” Wonder if Nike ‘just did it’?

SOCCER-FUTBOL MANIA

It seems like the whole world is gearing up for this hot event, well, mainly Europe. Hot Brazilian Barcelona player Ronaldinho arrived at Paris’ Charles-de-Gaulle airport today where FC Barcelona will play against Arsenal on the 17th in the UEFA Champions League football final in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.

Arsenal soccer team’s striker Thierry Henry of France (left) and personal favorite Jose Antonio Reyes (middle) arrive at the Hotel Crillon in Paris today, while Freddie Ljungberg (below) melts my heart during a press conference. Arsenal will play Barcelona on Wednesday.

TO BUSH OR NOT TO BUSH?

The marketing agent for sexy Reggie Bush, said that it is “appearing more unlikely” that Bush will be able to wear a No. 5 jersey this season, though it is possible that the NFL’s rule barring RBs from wearing single-digit jersey numbers “could be changed in time” for the ’07 season. But NFL VP/PR Greg Aiello said that “the number rule could be changed by a vote of owners” at their upcoming meeting in Denver. Sounds like what we have here is a pissing contest between the big men who run the NFL. I predict we’ll be seeing number 5 on Bush.

SO YA THINK YOU CAN SING?
Open call auditions to sing the National Anthem at selected 2006-07 Eagles home games will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wanna-be American Idols are invited to compete for three coveted spots and is open to “performers” of all ages. The first open call will result in 25 finalists who will move forward to the final competition. All interested parties can register on-site for the open call auditions, and enter through the Darien Street gate. No CDs or tapes will be accepted. Good luck.

W HOTELS PARTNER WITH PUMA
This spring, W Hotels Worldwide will partner with PUMA to motivate lazy travelers. Both have agreed to an exclusive hotel partnership of the soon-to-launch (May 31) TrainAway collection from PUMA, which includes a customized W/PUMA city-jogging map for each W property, a national SWEAT package and other hot stuff. The collection will only be sold through the W Hotels store (www.whotelsthestore.com). Pre-loaded iPods will feature both indoor and outdoor running guides, available at all five New York W’s. W will offer a package for the fitness-minded traveler named after its signature gym SWEAT. Launching June 1, 2006, the SWEAT package will include a PUMA towel, two bottles of water, a custom jogging map, and a 20% discount on all PUMA TRAIN AWAY products at W Hotels.

OH CANSECO JUST GO AWAY

Former MLBer Jose Canseco said that he “would be happy to speak with” George Mitchell, who is investigating steroid use in MLB, but he “has not heard from Mitchell, or anyone else involved in the investigation.” Canseco: “They can’t talk to me. I’m off limits. No one involved with [MLB] — coaches, clubhouse kids, players, owners or managers — can speak with me. It’s an unwritten law they have.” It’s an unwritten law not to talk to Mensa rejects. Good try Canseco, now go play-nice with Bode.

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda