Basketball

Bronny James is opening up on his decision to rock No. 9 in the NBA ... confirming he chose it to honor late musician Juice WRLD.

LeBron's eldest son faced the media for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday ... and after fielding several questions about his relationship with his four-time champion pops, who was in attendance for the presser, he explained how the digit he'll sport during games was far from random.

"Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I've been through," 19-year-old Bronny said minutes ago. "So yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed. It's a really important thing for me."

Dick Vitale just underwent surgery to remove a cancerous lymph node ... but in true Dickie V fashion, he's remaining positive about everything.

The famous college basketball announcer revealed last week that he was diagnosed with the disease after tests showed a mass in his neck was malignant.

On Tuesday, docs cut it out of him with the hopes of stopping its spread ... and in a post on his X page, he told his followers he's optimistic about his prognosis.

NBA veteran Cameron Payne was placed in handcuffs and thrown behind bars last month because he repeatedly refused to give officers his real name during a police investigation after he dialed 911 ... at least, that's what cops are saying.

According to a Scottsdale Police Department incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Payne called cops at around 2:44 AM on June 14 after getting into an argument with his girlfriend in Arizona.

But, cops say when officers arrived on the scene, he and his GF told them police services were no longer desired ... as their quarrel was merely a verbal one, and they had calmed down since.

Jayson Tatum's summer just got even better -- the Boston Celtics champion just secured a 5-year, $315 MILLION extension ... making it the biggest contract in NBA history.

News of the negotiations broke minutes ago ... with the 26-year-old agreeing to a supermax deal to stay put in Beantown -- quite possibly the biggest no-brainer of the offseason.

Tatum is fresh off winning his first title with the Cs after eliminating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals last month ... and while he didn't win MVP honors, he was crucial to Boston's success this postseason -- averaging 25 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists a game.

"Hawk Tuah" girl's 15 minutes of fame ain't over yet -- and clearly, neither is her time spittin' -- 'cause the internet's newest star was seen over the weekend partying with Shaquille O'Neal in Nashville, where she, fittingly, coughed up some saliva on one of his microphones!!

The NBA legend -- who moonlights as a DJ -- was in the Music City on Sunday for a performance at Jon Bon Jovi's new JBJ's Nashville joint ... when, at some point, he crossed paths with Haliey Welch, aka Hawk Tuah.

The two chatted it up at the eatery and posed for some pictures ... and later in the evening, she joined the Big Diesel in his DJ booth.

Haley and Hanna Cavinder continue to thrive in the NIL era in college sports ... the two stars were just announced as the newest brand ambassadors for Under Armour!

The apparel giant dropped the news this morning ... welcoming the University of Miami hoopers to the company. The deal marks the first exclusive apparel and footwear deal for the Cavinder twins, who boast 4.5 million followers on TikTok.

The twins called the partnership a "dream opportunity" to team up with Under Armour, saying the company is giving them a platform to inspire the next generation.

Diana Taurasi is changin' her tune a bit on Caitlin Clark ... following their first on-court matchup this weekend, the WNBA legend had nothing but praise for the league's newest star.

Of course, Taurasi made headlines back in April ... when she said she anticipated big struggles from Clark once she arrived in the W. The Phoenix Mercury guard said on ESPN "reality is coming" for the then-Iowa superstar -- explaining she believed dominating in the WNBA was a far tougher task than tearing up the college ranks.

But, after Clark and her Fever squad got the better of Taurasi and the Mercury on Sunday at the Footprint Center in Arizona ... Taurasi had nothing but kind things to say about the 22-year-old.

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson wasn't about to let Pride Month come and go without a big celebration ... showing love for her LGBTQ teammates by getting them a hilarious cake!!

The two-time WNBA MVP showed off the special gesture on Instagram on Sunday ... saying it's something she does every year -- but this one took the cake. Literally.

The tasty treat is decked out in rainbows, disco balls and scissors ... and features the words "Hooray you gay" in the center.

Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk were destined to be world champions ... so says their former middle school gym teacher, who tells TMZ Sports he recognized long ago that there was something special about the two.

The Boston Celtics hooper and Florida Panthers left winger -- who both won their respective titles in the NBA and NHL this month -- both attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO as kids ... and Michael Derkits -- who also coached Tatum on the basketball team -- got an early look at their potential.

Derkits said Tatum and Tkachuk hit it off as soon as the former transferred to Chaminade as a 7th grader ... and he credits to them having similar personalities.

Rich Paul says Bronny James would be in the NBA even if his name was John Smith ... downplaying all the critics' claims of nepotism playing a major role in LeBron James' son getting drafted to the Lakers.

Bron and Bronny's agent touched down at LAX on Friday -- just 24 hours after the rookie had his name called with the 55th pick in the draft.

Paul talked all about the highly-publicized selection for the Purple and Gold ... saying first and foremost, he's thrilled for the 19-year-old hooper -- 'cause he definitely deserved the opportunity.

Legendary basketball commentator Dick Vitale says he's dealing with another bout of cancer ... announcing on Friday that some tests he underwent this week revealed a malignant mass on his neck.

The 85-year-old shared the sad update moments ago with his fans on his X page ... saying he's now scheduled to undergo surgery next week to try to rid himself of the new issue.

"With all the 🙏🙏🙏 I have received & the loving support of my family, friends & @espn colleagues I will win this battle," Dickie V said.

Here's the first look at Bronny James in Purple and Gold -- LeBron's son will wear No. 9 for the Lakers ... as well as "Jr." on his nameplate.

L.A. just released visuals of its newest rookie on Friday ... showing the 19-year-old guard proudly donning the threads.

The digit is interesting -- Bronny rocked No. 6 with the USC Trojans last season, but that is retired leaguewide in honor of NBA legend Bill Russell.

Savannah James got emotional watching the Lakers draft her eldest son, Bronny James, on Thursday night ... needing a tissue to wipe away her tears of joy.

LeBron's wife was seen standing just behind the 19-year-old hooper when it was revealed L.A. took him with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft ... and just after she handed her boy a Lakers hat, the waterworks started flowing.

Check out the clip, Mom couldn't have been more proud!

Bronny James -- son of NBA superstar LeBron James -- is a Los Angeles Laker ... being selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 Draft.

This makes LeBron and Bronny the first-ever father-son duo in NBA history -- and they're on the same team.

The big moment went down minutes ago ... with league deputy commissioner Mark Tatum taking the dais at ESPN's Seaport District Studios in Manhattan to announce the move.

Bronny James might not have been one of the handful of prospects at the Barclays Center for the NBA Draft, but he's still living it up in the Big Apple this week ... getting spotted out in NYC prior to Wednesday's event.

Right around the same time Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Ron Holland and the rest of the rookies were getting dressed to the nines ahead of the first round ... Bronny and his brother, Bryce, hopped out of an SUV decked out in stylish streetwear.

Both of LeBron's kids rocked jeans, sneakers and white tees ... with the 19-year-old former USC guard also including a purple hoodie with his 'fit.

The most popular prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft class is without a team for at least one more day -- LeBron James' son, Bronny, was not taken in the 1st round ... meaning he will have to wait until Thursday to learn his professional fate.

The first 30 selections just had their names called ... with French baller Zaccharie Risacher going No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Hawks.

Alex Sarr -- also from France -- went to the Washington Wizards at No. 2 ... and Kentucky's Reed Sheppard joined the Houston Rockets in the third spot.