Basketball

Devin Funchess has successfully made the transition from NFL player to pro hooper ... but he tells TMZ Sports he's not done yet -- he still wants to make it to the NBA!!

The ex-Carolina Panthers wideout has been training for years to establish himself as a big-time baller on the hardwood ... and so far, the journey's gone well.

He's played overseas at a few stops ... with his most recent contract coming from the Colombia Basketball League -- and he says he's pleased with how the new career's going.

Warning -- if you're enjoying your Friday supper, ya may wanna put down the quinoa bowl before reading this one.

NBA great Paul Pierce found himself in the hospital on Friday ... after suffering an incredibly gnarly finger injury that resulted in a ton of blood and a few broken bones.

The Boston Celtics legend alerted his fans of his current medical status just minutes ago ... showing him decked out in a gown while in a hospital bed.

Magic Johnson's innocent comment about Stephen Curry's mom has led to some hilarious reactions on social media ... with many quick to question what exactly the NBA legend meant with the shoutout.

The Hall of Famer went to X to congratulate the Golden State Warriors superstar on winning the PWBA Magic Johnson award on Thursday ... which is an accolade that recognizes players who display "cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans" throughout the season.

But it was how Johnson ended his statement that got everybody worked up ... 'cause he mentioned the fact he had a blast with Curry's mom, Sonya, earlier in the week.

Congratulations are in order for NBA star Jalen Green and Draya Michele -- the two just welcomed their baby girl into the world ... and the "Basketball Wives" alum says she's "forever grateful" for the little bundle of joy.

Michele, 39, revealed the news on Friday ... saying Mother's Day has always been hard to celebrate since her dad passed away on the holiday in 2021, but it has now taken on a "different" meaning after her newborn arrived on May 12.

"My daughter was safely brought into this world," Michele said on the IG post, "and I'm forever grateful for the new memories we all get to experience moving forward."

More than 17,000 fans packed the arena to catch Caitlin Clark and the Fever's home opener on Thursday, but they didn't have much to root for on the court ... as Indiana got dominated by the New York Liberty.

It was a sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ... with a reported 17,274 hoops fans in attendance for the contest.

Clark -- who had 20 points and 10 turnovers in her WNBA debut -- improved on her ball security in her second outing, but was held to single digits in scoring for the first time since 2021, when she was a star at Iowa.

A cause of death for ex-NBA player Darius Morris still remains a mystery ... but TMZ Sports has learned law enforcement does not believe foul play was involved.

The former LA Lakers guard was found dead in his home by his family in the Los Angeles area on May 2 ... and authorities are still working to determine how exactly the 33-year-old passed.

Our sources say, however, there were no signs of nefarious acts ... and no drugs were found at the scene either.

Donovan Mitchell is speaking out amid reports of tension with his current Cleveland Cavaliers teammates ... saying he's "sick" of all the BS.

The long-form pieces have been coming in left and right following the Wine and Gold's exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Wednesday ... with many putting a spotlight on Spida's status with the team.

One report from cleveland.com cited sources claiming Mitchell "grew frustrated with some teammates' lack of maturity, focus, playoff-level readiness and a willingness to listen," during the 2023-24 campaign ... but the five-time All-Star was quick to refute the notion hours after the article went live.

Angel Reese made her own WNBA debut following Caitlin Clark's historic opening night -- and although the rookie sensation from LSU also took a loss, she still had Latto front and center to support her!!!

Latto snuck in a quick interview at the Chicago Sky's season opener against the Dallas Wings Wednesday night -- she only flew into Texas to see Angel play.

The "Big Energy" rapper told viewers she believes 2024 is the year of the woman and backing the WNBA falls under that umbrella.

Cameron Brink's Sparks career is just getting started, but she's already rubbing elbows with some of L.A.'s biggest names ... hanging out with Kim Kardashian and her daughter, North West, right after her first game -- and she came bearing gifts!!

The Los Angeles Sparks forward made her WNBA debut on Wednesday ... posting 11 points and four assists in the 92-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream.

Brink -- whose godbrother is NBA superstar Steph Curry -- and her teammates drew a star-studded crowd ... including Lakers legend and team owner Magic Johnson, who was sitting courtside.

5/16 -- 9:14 AM PT -- UConn's Athletic Department told TMZ Sports on Thursday they are saddened by Lubin's death and will pray for his family.

"UConn Athletics offers its condolences and has Rakim’s family in our thoughts."

Rakim Lubin -- a former college basketball player who hooped for the UConn Huskies -- has reportedly passed away. He was only 28 years old.

According to the Prestige Memorial Funeral Home, the 6-foot-8 baller -- nicknamed "Rock"' due to his physique -- reportedly died on May 12th.

The cause of Rakim's death is not known.

Kelsey Plum might be a new SKIMS model, but she certainly wasn't wearing any on Tuesday -- at least up top -- 'cause the WNBA star rocked a super revealing 'fit to the Las Vegas Aces season opener.

The two-time champion arrived at Michelob Ultra Arena like it was fashion week ... decked out in a sleek, all-black Alexander Wang ensemble ahead of her team's matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.

Plum lit social media on fire with her clothing choice ... which featured baggy leather pants, a tiny vest and a matching bag.

Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut finally arrived on Tuesday, but it didn't go as planned ... she logged 10 turnovers -- and her Fever team lost by double digits.

The former Iowa superstar's W career officially kicked off in Connecticut ... as she and Indiana took on the Sun for their season opener -- and initially, things went well.

The arena was packed -- and she was cheered at player introductions ... despite it being an away game.

Not everybody in the WNBA is traveling in style just yet -- Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky teammates are still flying commercial to start the 2024 season ... as the league continues to smooth out its new charter flight program.

Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx were the first two teams to reap the benefits of the WNBA's private plane partnership with Delta ... traveling to Connecticut and Seattle respectively in the comfort of their own aircrafts.

But the remaining three teams with away games to kickstart the season weren't so lucky ... as the Sky and Atlanta Dream hopped aboard commercial jets for their games.

Shaquille O'Neal stands on business ... and good luck moving the 7'1" Big Fella!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the 4-time NBA champion this week -- days after his on-air exchange with this year's NBA MVP Nikola Jokic -- and Shaq ain't backing down even a little!!

"Let me say something to all the people that are not smart enough to comprehend what I say," O'Neal told Babcock. "Never said I didn't like Joker, never said anything bad about the Joker. Joker is the best big man in a long time. I just said that I thought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should've gotten the MVP."

The man who could've potentially turned a hundred bucks into a whopping $1.7 MILLION on one bet is taking the guaranteed money and running ... cashing out of his viral championship-winner parlay at $80,900.

Wayne Shelton became internet famous over the past few weeks ... after it was revealed he was an Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Finals title away from becoming a millionaire thanks to a three-leg parlay he placed last year -- when he picked OKC, the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Chiefs to win their respective championships at +1143000 odds (with 50% boost).

Of course, the Rangers and Chiefs did their part ... leaving Shelton one leg away from a MASSIVE payday -- but with each Thunder win and loss in the 2024 playoffs, his cashout option fluctuated like crazy.

Rudy Gobert apparently didn't learn the first time around -- the Minnesota Timberwolves Defensive Player of the Year was fined AGAIN for making a money gesture toward officials during a game ... this time, getting hit with a $75k punishment.

Gobert was clearly upset with calls during the Wolves' Game 4 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday ... and an offensive foul late in the fourth quarter led the 31-year-old to throw up another money gesture -- implying the refs were influenced by sports betting.

The league announced the consequences on Tuesday ... saying Gobert was fined 75 racks for making an "inappropriate and unprofessional gesture that questions the league and its game officials."