Actor Kusem Goodwind Praises LeBron's Co. 'Rez Ball' Meant So Much To Native Americans

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A HUGE HONOR
TMZSports.com

Actor Kusem Goodwind says being involved in the LeBron James-produced "Rez Ball" movie was the ultimate honor ... praising the Lakers superstar for giving Native Americans the spotlight with the film.

Goodwin portrayed Nataanii Jackson in the sports drama released in September, which followed a Native American high school basketball team competing for the state title after losing its star player.

Goodwin tells TMZ Sports he felt a deep sense of pride acting in the project ... especially because it highlights Indigenous athletes and brings attention to their experiences like never before.

NBA Superstar Joel Embiid Screams In Female Ref's Face ... Gets Ejected

NBA superstar Joel Embiid was ejected from a game Monday night ... after he relentlessly screamed in the face of a female ref.

The unnerving scene went down in the second quarter of the 76ers' tilt with the San Antonio Spurs ... after Embiid was whistled for an offensive foul.

The Philadelphia big man, wearing a mask to protect a sinus injury he suffered earlier this month, was so livid over the call, he raced to Jenna Schroeder and began melting down. He yelled at the woman repeatedly -- at one point getting mere inches from her nose.

Glen 'Big Baby' Davis Ex-NBA Star Sued ... You Ruined My Business Deal With Chris Brown!!!

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is being sued by a woman who claims the ex-NBA star screwed up her business deal with Chris Brown, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court documents we obtained, the lawsuit was filed on Friday in Los Angeles by a pharmaceutical scientist, Dr. Lyndsey White, who says after she initially got involved in a barbeque sauce venture with Davis -- and things went south in a hurry.

In her suit, White claims she and Davis agreed in April 2021 to create "Big Baby Q" BBQ sauce ... and then, a short time later, she says she gave Davis a $30,000 loan to get into a weed business together as well.

Dwight Howard I'm Engaged!!! To Rapper Amy Luciani

Dwight Howard is off the market ... because he's engaged to rapper Amy Luciani.

The pair went public with their relationship Friday and it looks like they've been together for a while ... because they're already engaged.

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PUTTIN' A RING ON IT
Instagram / @amylucianiworld

Amy posted video showing their sparkling, diamond engagement rings on social media ... and the footage shows Dwight admiring Amy's bling as they party in a nightclub.

Angel McCoughtry Gunning To Make WNBA Comeback ... Never Felt Better

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MAKING A COMEBACK
TMZSports.com

Don't hang Angel McCoughtry's jersey in the rafters just yet ... the 5x WNBA All-Star tells TMZ Sports she's looking to make a comeback to the league she starred in for a decade, and she feels as good as ever!

"It's comeback season," McCoughtry told Babcock on Friday.

Angel, who is now 38 years old, last played in the league two seasons ago for the Minnesota Lynx ... however, she only played a few games. Over the course of her stellar career, AM's averaged nearly 19 points a game.

Diddy Sued He Drugged, Raped Me in '91 ... During NYC Stampede

Update

7:50 PM PT -- Diddy's attorneys tell us, "As we've said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone -- man or woman, adult or minor."

 Diddy is facing a new rape allegation, one that dates back to before he was famous ... and the alleged victim says it went down during an already infamous NYC event.

The accuser, who's filing as a Jane Doe, says she was attending a December 1991 charity basketball event at the City College of New York, which was co-sponsored by a then up-and-coming producer, Sean "Puffy" Combs.

She and a friend were invited by an unnamed rapper set to appear at the event, she claims in the lawsuit -- when she and her friend arrived, she says the crowd outside was large and getting unruly, and she convinced a security guard to let her and the friend in early.

LeBron James Daughter Rocks No. 6 For Volleyball ... Just Like Dad!!!

LeBron James' daughter is just like her NBA superstar pops on the court -- 'cause Zhuri is proudly repping the same number he's notably worn over the years for her volleyball team ... and he couldn't be more proud!!

The Los Angeles Lakers champ shared photos of 10-year-old Zhuri in her City Volleyball Club gear on Friday ... while sharing a special message wishing her the best of luck in the upcoming season.

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"🥰🥰😍😍🤎🤎🤎 YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!" LeBron said in the IG caption. "LET'S GO BABY Z!!"

Trinity Rodman Doesn't Accept Dennis' Apology ... Calls It 'A Joke!'

Dennis Rodman's bad dad apology to his soccer star daughter Trinity fell flat ... with the Olympic gold medalist calling the mea culpa a "joke," and declaring she's done trying to fix her relationship with her pops.

The drama came to a head earlier this week when the Washington Spirit forward appeared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast and called out her absentee father, accusing him of only showing up for PR stunts.

"He's not a dad," Trinity said. "Maybe by blood, but nothing else."

Timberwolves vs. Knicks Models Storm Court, Get Tackled ... Sequel to Their 'TNF' $treak!!!

Karl-Anthony Towns' return to Minnesota was interrupted by a couple of models who stormed the court in the middle of the game ... and as it turns out, this wasn't their first time causing chaos at a sporting event in the past week.

The moment went down two minutes before halftime on Thursday -- after the Knicks called for a timeout, two women in white jerseys bolted from their good seats and attempted to sprint onto the hardwood.

TMZ Sports has learned the ladies in question are Toochi Kash and Amberghini -- the same pair who rushed the field at Levi's Stadium when the San Francisco 49ers hosted the L.A. Rams.

Jazz's Jordan Clarkson Squares Up To Fight Ron Holland During Jazz-Pistons Game

It wasn't quite the Malice at the Palace, but fists were nearly flying during the Pistons vs. Jazz game in Detroit, with Jordan Clarkson and Ron Holland squaring up to fight during the game!

The altercation occurred Thursday night during the 3rd quarter of the Jazz vs. Pistons game at the Little Ceasars Arena (The Palace of Auburn Hills was demolished in '20) ... when Pistons center Paul Reed bumped and shoved Clarkson while running up the court after a layup, which Jordan didn't appreciate.

Reed's teammate, 19-year-old Holland, then stepped to Clarkson ... and both guys squared off, just feet from one of the referees.

Dennis Rodman 'I Will Keep Trying' ... Apologizes To Estranged Daughter Trinity

Dennis Rodman is apologizing to his estranged daughter Trinity -- writing a lengthy and emotional social media post -- after the U.S. soccer star went on a podcast and blasted her pops for being an absent dad.

"I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time," Rodman said in the IG post.

"I’m always here and tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me."

Damian Lillard Three Stripes For Life!!! ... Lifetime Adidas Deal

Damian Lillard is having a solid week -- not only did his Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, it is now being reported he has agreed to a lifetime extension with Adidas.

According to ESPN, the 34-year-old reached the deal after his most recent contract with the company expired last offseason.

Lillard -- who signed with the organization in 2012 -- will now join an exclusive list of athletes who have a lifetime shoe endorsement ... including Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Caitlin Clark Number 22 Jersey To Be Retired By Iowa! After Stellar College Career

File this under the easiest decision ever ... the Iowa Hawkeyes announced they will retire Caitlin Clark's iconic number 22 jersey next year!

The school dropped the announcement Wednesday, saying the ceremony will take place during the team's matchup against USC on February 2 (2/2), playing off the number worn by Clark during her four years at IU.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni."

76ers' Jared McCain Surgery Won't Stop Me From Singing ... Drugged Up On TikTok

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SUP TIKTOK

Jared McCain wasn't about to let surgery keep him from the content game -- the Philadelphia 76ers rookie wasted no time hopping on TikTok after having a procedure done on his knee ... singing a Drake song while he was still drugged up!!

The guard went under the knife on Wednesday to fix his torn left lateral meniscus ... an injury he suffered against the Indiana Pacers last week.

McCain is known to be a TikTok enthusiast and rap fan ... so once the doctors finished up his knee, it shouldn't be all that surprising the 20-year-old went straight to the app to give fans an update.

Kevin Durant I Hate New NBA All-Star Game Format ... It's Terrible!!!

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I HATE IT!!!
X/@GeraldBourguet

Safe to say Kevin Durant isn't a fan of the new 2025 All-Star Game format that was made official on Tuesday ... 'cause the Phoenix Suns superstar was unfiltered in his take on the major changes -- calling them straight-up "terrible."

The Association dropped the details of the new and so-called "improved" layout ... introducing a mini-tournament featuring four teams and three games.

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker will serve as team managers.

Charlotte Hornets Vow To Return PlayStation 5 To Fan ... We Messed Up!!!

The Charlotte Hornets are looking to make things right after giving a PS5 to a young fan during an in-game segment -- just to take it back off-camera -- 'cause the team tells TMZ Sports it is working to return the game console to the kid.

The whole debacle went down during a break in the action of the Hornets' home matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers ... when the team's mascot, Hugo, played Santa and hooked young fans up with special gifts.

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THE BIG REVEAL

The moment seemed AWESOME as the boy was handed a brand-new PS5 ... but a text exchange posted on social media shortly after claimed it was all for show -- as he was forced to fork it back over when they were no longer in eyesight of the rest of the fans in attendance.