President Obama has big challenge ahead ... no, not Russia

Challenge accepted.

The White House confirmed Thursday that President Obama would speak at UC Irvine’s commencement ceremony on June 14 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim. UCI is celebrating its 50-year anniversary.

And then?

Well, Mamadou Ndiaye, Irvine’s 7-foot-6 center, made a video invitation for the president, saying, “Hello, President, I have a big reason you should come here and celebrate the 50th anniversary. After that, we should play some ball.”

Uh, Mr. President, you think Vladimir Putin is a strongman? Or Congress blocks too many of your efforts? Please don’t drive on Ndiaye. After all, he covers as much ground as Lichtenstein.

The White House has not responded to Ndiaye’s challenge.