Basketball

The 76ers just unveiled their new Allen Iverson statue ... and its stature has fans all across the NBA world scratching their heads -- wondering why the hell it's so small!!

Take a look at The Answer's new bust -- which Philadelphia officials just placed outside the Sixers' practice facility on Friday -- it's about the size of the Heisman Trophy!

In total, including its base, it appears to be less than six feet tall ... as AI -- who stands at 6'0 -- was quite literally at eye-level with it.

People who loved the Hall of Famer's game quickly took to social media to clown it ... with famed internet personality Jomboy writing, "Sixers promised Allen Iverson a statue and gave him a toy soldier."

Added basketball reporter Jeff Goodman, "Where’s the rest of the statue???"

Iverson, though, didn't seem to have much of an issue with it ... when he spoke with reporters about the figurine, he called it a whale of honor.

And, to be fair, most of the statues that currently reside outside of the team’s Camden practice facility aren't all that big … for instance, Charles Barkley's is only a few inches taller than him.

But still, the internet wasn't pleased nonetheless.

It, of course, has been a rough year for NBA statue-makers ... as back in February, the Lakers revealed a sculpture honoring Kobe Bryant that was riddled with spelling errors.

Ben McLemore is breaking his silence days after he was arrested and charged with rape, adamantly claiming he's not guilty of the horrific crime!

The 10-year NBA vet was arrested Tuesday on a first-degree rape charge in Multnomah County, Oregon ... and later transferred to Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday.

McLemore, who was released after posting bond, addressed the sex crime accusation in a statement Thursday night.

“I did not rape this woman,” the 31-year-old said. “I am not sexually abusive. I have never pursued a sexual relationship when I understood the woman was not interested in me and acting willingly.”

As for what he's accused of doing ... Police say a woman claims McLemore sexually assaulted her at his Lake Oswego home in 2021 when BM was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to police, the investigation was delayed because McLemore was out of the country, playing professional basketball in China, Greece and Spain.

McLemore is facing one count of unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of sexual abuse, in addition to the first-degree rape charge.

The former Kansas University men's basketball star is obviously frustrated with how the case has been handled by authorities so far.

“I met every request they made of me, immediately and professionally," McLemore said.

"I indicated that I was interested in testifying in the grand jury but was refused that opportunity. When my attorneys were informed of the charges, we immediately made plans for me to return to the United States for the first court appearance -- and informed all law enforcement authorities and the Court of my travel plan."

"I could not have done more to assist in the process.”

If Kentucky still wants a UConn coach to lead its program next year, it might want to forget about Dan Hurley -- and target one of his assistants instead ... Bill Murray's son, Luke Murray!!

That's because Huskies superstar Donovan Clingan tells TMZ Sports the younger Murray has been just that good on the sidelines during his career in Storrs!!

Clingan -- who just won his second straight national championship under the tutelage of Hurley and Luke -- spelled it all out for us while he was working a promotional shift at Raising Cane's this week ... saying straight up Luke "is a head coach."

George Mikan was one of basketball's original stars, and although it's been nearly 70 years since he suited up for the Minneapolis Lakers, fans now have a chance to bid on a historic piece of memorabilia ... the Hall of Famers sweat-stained, game-worn, signed warm-ups!

6'10" Mikan, known as "Mr. Basketball," starred for the Minneapolis Lakers from 1947 to 1954 (and briefly in 1956), years before they moved out west. He averaged over 23 points a game as a pro, leading the league in scoring in 3 of his 7 seasons. He won 7 titles (2 in the NBL and 5 in the BAA/NBA).

GM was named to the NBA's ultra-exclusive 50th Anniversary team in 1996 ... joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Now, Mikan's royal blue warm-ups -- pants and zip-up jacket -- worn around 1950 on multiple occasions and signed (twice) by the all-time great, are on the block at SCP Auctions.

The outfit reads "MLPS LAKERS" in gold block letters and shows heavy use, including sweat stains, according to SCP.

Mikan gifted the pants and jacket to someone in the '70s... and they held them for many years before recently deciding to cash in.

Bidding on the Mikan warm-up ends Saturday night ... where they're expected to rake in north of $400k!

4/11 -- 6:38 AM -- According to the Lake Oswego Police Department, Ben McLemore was accused of committing the sex crimes in October 2021.

Cops say a woman told them McLemore -- who was a Portland Trail Blazer at the time -- sexually assaulted her while at a home in Lake Oswego.

Police added a grand jury formally indicted McLemore in February.

Former Kansas University men's basketball star Ben McLemore was arrested this week and booked on a charge of first-degree rape, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Jail records show the 31-year-old -- who played in the NBA from 2013 through 2021 following his Jayhawks career -- was taken into custody in Multnomah County, Oregon on Tuesday on an outstanding warrant. He was later transferred to Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday.

Records show he remains behind bars there ... as he's facing one count of unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of sexual abuse -- in addition to the rape charge.

Further details on the allegations surrounding McLemore were not made immediately available ... although more is expected to be released later Wednesday -- after the basketball player is arraigned in court.

McLemore was a superstar for KU in his one season in Lawrence -- helping lead the Jayhawks to the Sweet 16 in 2013. He went on to be picked by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft.

In his career, McLemore logged minutes for Sacramento, Houston, Portland, Memphis and the Los Angeles Lakers. Following his career, he went on to play overseas.

Caitlin Clark took women's basketball to new heights ... and South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley is looking to build off her momentum -- telling TMZ Sports the next generation of hoopers wants to make the Iowa superstar proud!!

Clark had a huge impact on the entire sport during her career with the Hawkeyes ... breaking records and helping set historic television ratings in the process.

Fulwiley and the undefeated Gamecocks took down Clark's Iowa squad in the national championship game on Sunday ... and despite being opponents in the biggest matchup of the year, the freshman had nothing but great things to say about the WNBA's next No. 1-overall pick.

"Caitlin Clark, she's a great person, she did tremendous things for women's basketball -- not just women's basketball, but college basketball," Fulwiley told us.

Speaking of winning the natty, Fulwiley and her teammate Kamilla Cardoso celebrated by working a shift at Raising Cane's in Columbia on Wednesday ... handing out some delicious tenders for a ton of 'Cocks fans in attendance!!

Clark declared for the WNBA Draft earlier in the season ... leaving many to wonder what'll happen to all the hype surrounding women's hoops once she's gone.

Fulwiley said the up-and-comers are ready to fill Clark's big shoes ... and they're going to take what they learned from her and apply it to their game.

"Her leaving is gonna be a big impact on us, but she made us want to push harder," Fulwiley added. "She inspired all of us, all the younger ones, all us freshmen to see what it feels like to achieve all the goals that we've dreamed of."

"We're just trying to pick up where she left off and just keep things going because I know she'd be proud and everybody else that supports women's basketball will be proud."

There are apparently critics of Bronny James' game in NBA front offices too ... 'cause one general manager declared this week LeBron's kid is "nowhere near ready" to play in the Association right now.

The GM made the comments to The Ringer's Dan Conner ... while speaking under the condition of anonymity.

It didn't seem the exec absolutely loathed the 19-year-old's skillset -- in fact, he appeared to praise the teen's defensive ability -- but he seemed to make it clear that LBJ Jr. needs more seasoning before he can thrive in the pros like Dad.

11:23 AM PT -- Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kim and Peter are just friends, and they just so happened to be sitting next to each other at the game. So ... no funny business.

Kim Kardashian reunited with a guy who used to hang out with her and her ex-husband Kris Humphries -- and even all this time later ... they look real friendly, especially courtside.

The reality star went to the Lakers game in L.A. Tuesday night with her daughter, North, and some pals -- and yes ... she had a front-row seat to all the action ... as did basketball player-turned-real-estate-agent Peter Cornell, who was plopped down next to Kim at one point.

They were photographed chatting it up and flashing big smiles as they watched the game seated next to Will Ferrell ... and it's interesting considering their history. If you didn't know, these two go way back.

Kim Kardashian estuvo con un hombre con el que solía pasar mucho tiempo junto a su exmarido, Kris Humphries, y a pesar de todo el tiempo que ha pasado desde entonces, ambos se veían muy amigables, especialmente en la cancha.

La estrella de los reality shows fue al partido de los Lakers en Los Ángeles el martes por la noche con su hija North y algunos amigos, y se sentó en un asiento en primera fila al igual que el jugador de baloncesto ahora convertido en agente inmobiliario Peter Cornell, que se acomodó al lado de Kim en un momento dado.

Ambos fueron fotografiados conversando y sonriendo mientras veían el partido, justo al lado de Will Ferrell, lo que es interesante teniendo en cuenta su historia. Por si no lo sabías, estos dos se conocen desde hace mucho tiempo.

Kentucky's coaching job is still up for grabs, and Dan Hurley should stay far away from it ... at least that's what John Salley thinks!!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the former Bad Boy Piston out in L.A. while he was on his way to record an episode of the "Wander Well" Podcast ... and he told us one of his ex-teammates would be a much better fit for the job than Hurley.

Salley said while UK is one of the most prestigious programs in all of college basketball ... Hurley has a dream situation after winning back-to-back Natty's with UConn -- so he shouldn't make the leap to Lexington.

For the first time ever, the NCAA women's basketball championship pulled in more viewers than the men's game ... with Kamilla Cardoso and South Carolina's win over Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes beating out UConn vs. Purdue by 4 million!!

The numbers for Monday night's men's contest between the Huskies and Boilermakers were reportedly just released ... and while the game did better than UConn's matchup with San Diego State a year prior, it got blown out of the water by Clark going head-to-head with the undefeated Gamecocks.

The men's game drew in 14.8 million average viewers ... and Sunday's women's game earned 18.8 million, shattering the record for a women's college basketball game.

A lot of folks will chalk it up to the Caitlin Clark effect ... but it's worth noting the women's tournament featured a ton of stars all over the bracket, resulting in historic ratings throughout the tournament.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley even took a second to thank Clark for bringing more eyeballs to women's hoops after her squad completed the undefeated season ... which she certainly did.

The errors on the Kobe Bryant statue have been fixed ... the Lakers just made the corrections to the Mamba's life-sized tribute earlier Tuesday.

There were several problems on the figurine's base -- where a few names, including Jose Calderon and Von Wafer, were misspelled. The word "decision" in "Coach's Decision" was also wrongfully written twice as "decicion."

On March 11, right around the time the public discovered the problems, the Lakers said in a statement they had been aware of the issues for several weeks ... and had vowed to fix them.

Ja Morant is one step closer to winning a lawsuit against the teenager who he punched during an altercation in a pickup basketball game two years ago ... a judge just ruled the NBA superstar was acting in self-defense when he hit the minor.

Joshua Holloway, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, sued Morant back in Sept. 2022, alleging the Grizzlies point guard roughed him up while the two were competing on a basketball court at Ja's Eads, Tenn. home.

Holloway claimed that during an in-game argument, he threw a ball at Morant and accidentally hit him in the face. He alleged Morant then became enraged, and socked him with a closed fist.

John Calipari says it's time for the Kentucky Wildcats to hit the reset button without him ... the longtime coach confirmed his departure from the program after 15 seasons.

Cal explained his decision to walk away from his "dream job" in a social media video on Tuesday ... wearing a Kentucky blue quarter-zip -- minus the school's logo.

Cal -- who's expected to be announced as Arkansas' next head coach this week -- said he and his wife took some time to reflect after the Wildcats' first-round exit from the NCAA tournament ... and ultimately came to the conclusion his tenure in Lexington ran its course.

"This is a dream job," Cal said. "It was my dream job. Anybody in our profession looks at the University of Kentucky in basketball and says that is the bluest of blue."

"The last few weeks, we've come to realize that this program probably needs to hear another voice, that the university as a whole has to have another voice giving guidance about this program that they hear. And, the fans need to hear another voice."

Calipari made it clear he was thrilled with his time at the helm ... but he's ready for the next challenge.

"There have been opportunities that have been presented to us, so we're discussing them as a family. I love coaching. I love coaching young people. I loved this year's team. I loved every day walking in. They've invigorated me. I love the chase for championships. I love bringing the kids together. It's what I do. It's who I am."

Cal thanked all those he interacted with over his career with the Wildcats ... especially the players and their families for what they accomplished on and off the court, his staff and the fans of Big Blue Nation.

65-year-old Cal finishes his time in Lexington with 32 NCAA tournament wins ... including four Final Four appearances and a championship in 2012.

Despite all the overall success, the Wildcats ran into rough times in the postseason recently ... earning just one tourney win since 2019.

Devin Booker's trying to set the record straight about his hair ... after a viral video caused fans to question whether the NBA star was rockin' a wig!

But, Book seems to be saying he's au natural.

The video in question shows a person, purported to be an NBA player, with advanced male pattern baldness, sitting in a barber chair with his face obscured ... as a stylist applies glue, and ultimately a toupee.

Social media detectives began theorizing who the unnamed NBA player could be ... with the top guess being 27-year-old Booker.

The jokes went so far, the Suns star actually took to X to deny it was him.

“Yall got me messed up lol,” DB wrote ... seemingly indicating he is NOT the dude in the vid.

Of course, Booker, who dated Kendall Jenner, is widely regarded as one of the best-looking players in the NBA … so it’s no surprise fans felt betrayed by the prospect of the Suns star deceiving the public with his lack of locks.

It's not the first time an athlete has been trolled for his hairdo ... which LeBron James can testify to. Bron isn't alone ... Carlos Boozer was clowned back in the day for rocking spray-on hair in 2012. There are others ... Jimmy Butler and so on.

Larsa Pippen's clearly handling her split with Marcus Jordan well -- she just revealed she still looks incredible in a bikini ... while teasing that it's only going to get better from here!!

Scottie's ex posted the thirst trap to her Instagram page Tuesday morning ... showing she's been in the gym while getting through her recent breakup.

And, the 49-year-old appeared to promise that she's going to look sexier as the weather heats up ... writing in a caption on the pic, "Gearing up for the summer."