NBA

Zach LaVine's been at the center of near-constant trade speculation -- the Bulls star took out some of that frustration during a star-studded celebrity softball game, smashing a monster home run!

He flashed some leather, too ... robbing an HR in left field!

It all happened at MLB's 2023 All-Star Celebrity Softball Game in Seattle -- the site of the All-Star Game this weekend -- featuring stars like Joel McHale, Chloe Kim, Donovan Mitchell, Jennie Finch, Felix Hernandez, and Ryan Howard, amongst many more.

In the third inning, with Mariners legend Brett Boone on the mound, LaVine, a lefty, stepped to the plate and absolutely put a charge into one, hitting a bomb over the right-field softball fence.

Zach immediately knew the ball was gone ... he stood at the plate admiring his work, before tossing the bat, and beginning his home run trot.

Of course, softball fences are pushed in because the bigger ball's difficult to hit far. But, Zach hit the ball so hard, he nearly cleared the right field wall at T-Mobile Park.

Later in the game, LaVine showed he's more than just a bat.

Former Mariners star Mike Cameron was at the plate, and he drove a ball to deep left-center. Zach tracked the ball, and using every bit of his 6'5" frame, arm extended, caught it (sending center fielder Howie Mandel to the ground), robbing the home run.

LaVine wasn't the only NBA player showing out ... Cavs star Donovan Mitchell also hit a HR.

Michael Rubin followed up his famous July 4 fireworks bash in The Hamptons this year with another celeb-studded soiree in Las Vegas ... and we got all the excitement on video!!

TMZ obtained this footage showing a bevy of stars partying it up at the NBA's Summer Players Party at TAO nightclub, with rapper Lil Baby performing on stage Saturday night.

The list includes ... James Harden, Joel Embiid, Meek Mill, Jalen Rose, Flava Flav, Jason Tatum, Carmelo Anthony, Spencer Dwindiddie, Chet Holgram, JaVale McGee and Grant Williams.

Lil Baby was pumpin' out lyrics as the crowd grooved to his hip hop songs. Meek Mill was just chillin' and chattin' with a friend. James Harden was watchin' it all from afar.

There was also a pretty cool moment where smoke and confetti sprayed down from the ceiling engulfing the audience.

As you know, Rubin -- the sports apparel mogul -- is well known for his lavish summer get-togethers and last weekend was one of his best ever.

Hollywood's elite popped up at Rubin's July 4 white party bash, which is always a tradition in The Hamptons and the hottest ticket in town.

Jay-Z, Beyoncé, J-Lo, Ben Affleck, and Justin and Hailey Bieber were just some of the A-listers who came out to enjoy the festivities.

Lamar Odom's got a job offer to be the next head basketball coach at his former New York high school ... and he's giving the prospect some serious consideration.

A source familiar with the situation tells TMZ … Lamar recently had a conversation with the folks at Redemption Christian Academy in Troy, NY and was presented with an offer to be the head coach.

We're told Lamar originally reached out to the school about a month ago to inquire about the current head coach. Shortly after, the conversation developed into the school asking if he would consider taking the head coaching job for this upcoming school year. Should Lamar accept, we're told he would start in August and coach for 4 months, during the season.

Lamar's connection to the school is personal ... he played his senior season at Redemption, where he was named National Player of the Year by Parade Magazine. Lamar averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 blocks at Redemption, and he was also named a McDonald's All-American and played in the 1997 Magic Johnson Roundball Classic.

Our sources say Lamar would love a coaching job in California, where he currently lives, but he's seriously considering taking the position at Redemption because the school has a special place in his heart. Of course, if Lamar accepts he would move to NY and live there during the season.

Ultimately, we're told Lamar wants to coach college basketball in the future ... and he also wants to get back in the classroom and earn his BA in business, which would help with his Odom Recovery Group.

Our sources say those plans are on hold until Lamar decides if he wants to coach at Redemption.

LaMarcus Aldridge just got a new massive back tattoo featuring an image of the Joker ... and check it out -- it's so seriously awesome!!!

The former NBA star hit up Andres Ortega and his Onder Ink team last month to get the piece done ... and after sitting under the needle for 10 hours, most of the backside of the hooper's 6'11" frame was completely covered in ink.

On the bottom of the tattoo, Aldridge got Batman's nemesis tatted because, according to Ortega, the former San Antonio Spurs forward said there was a time in his life when nobody believed in him -- and this was his way of laughing at those detractors.

Aldridge also got images of a lion and its cub to represent the relationship he has with one of his children. The skyline of Dallas -- Aldridge's hometown -- was also added to the top of the artwork.

The 7-time NBA All-Star got his jersey No. 12 inked too ... and Ortega tells TMZ Sports he added religious imagery to honor his faith as well as family members who have passed.

Victor Wembanyama was asked point blank this weekend if he has any plans to apologize to Britney Spears after one of his bodyguards swatted at her -- and his response is telling.

The young basketball phenom was making the rounds in Vegas Saturday for NBA Con, and it looks like Wemby stopped off at a local gym to say what's up to some young hoopers/adoring fans ... who were absolutely mobbing the guy on his way out of there.

Check out this footage -- obtained by TMZ -- and you'll see what we mean. There's kids all over the place following him as he proceeds to an exit ... and they're vying for autographs.

Interestingly, this is actually a similar vibe to the scene he found himself earlier in the week when Britney attempted to get his attention ... and it also looks like he's rolling with the same security detail -- including, perhaps, the exact gentleman who made contact with BS.

The difference here, it seems, is that Wemby and his crew are a lot more relaxed this time around ... even though you could argue this is more hectic of an environment than when Britney rolled up on him. Watch his bodyguard -- a lot less handsy, but ever watchful.

Then, comes the huge question from someone in the crowd ... who asks Wemby straight up if he wants to say sorry to Britney over what happened -- something she's asked for herself.

There's been different accounts as to whether the security guard in question made amends afterward -- we've heard he did actually come over to apologize to her, but a statement she released suggests otherwise ... as she appears to want more from Wemby and the Spurs.

In any case ... the guy doesn't answer the question here, and simply keeps on going. Assuming he heard it -- frankly, who couldn't have at that volume -- ya gotta figure this means he ain't planning to say more than what he's already said on the matter.

Even when he addressed it with the media, VW didn't seem to show much remorse over the incident -- saying he was pretty unaware of what was going on until after the fact. What he did say, which other video we've obtained contradicts, is that he was grabbed from behind.

Scottie Pippen is seemingly trying to outdo his ex-wife Larsa when it comes to who can act racier with their dates.

Check out these photos, obtained by TMZ, which show Scottie driving an SUV with a woman in back as she posed for what could easily pass for a Playboy spread.

With the window wide open, the woman pushed up her shirt, exposing her breasts, covered by a white bra, for everyone to see. We're sure there were more than a few guys lovin' the view.

As for Scottie, he flashed a peace sign out his window while the two cruised out of a parking lot in Malibu Friday.

The basketball legend's R-rated ride comes on the heels of Larsa's naughty make-out session with her boyfriend, Marcus Jordan, inside a club. Video shows Marcus puffing on a hookah mouthpiece, placing his lips on Larsa's chest and blowing smoke in between her boobs.

But the drama didn't stop there ... Marcus' dad, former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan, was recently filmed by paparazzi in Paris saying he doesn't approve of his son's relationship with Larsa.

Dennis Rodman's girlfriend says the NBA legend's new face tattoo featuring a portrait of her was not her idea at all ... explaining to TMZ Sports that when he first told her he wanted to get it, she thought he was "crazy!!!"

Rodman and his GF, Yella Yella, spoke all about the new artwork roughly 24 hours after the former Bulls star got it done ... and the two made it clear to us, The Worm wasn't influenced by anyone other than himself when he decided to get the ink put on his cheek.

"I actually told him not to do it," Yella Yella said. "I'm like, 'What're you doing!'"

Rodman, though, said he was full-go on the idea once it popped into his head ... explaining, "This is my last dance with a woman."

"She's very lovely," he added. "And I thank her for loving me the way I am -- and that's why I did it for her."

Yella Yella says initially Rodman wanted the portrait to be even bigger than what it ultimately ended up being ... leading her to call him both "crazy" and "a wild boy."

Fred VanVleet is fired up to be joining the Rockets ... telling TMZ Sports that after spending the past seven seasons in Toronto, he's "looking forward" to the new sitch!!

The All-Star guard explained his excitement to us over his new 3-year, $130 million contract with Houston while he was out getting some shopping done on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills this week.

While he obviously loved his time with the Raptors (the guy, after all, won a championship and made his first-ever All-Star team in Toronto), he did admit he's eager to get everything going in H-Town.

As for some of his new teammates -- guys like Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green -- he's clearly happy to be walking into a lineup featuring those guys as well.

"We're just trying to take a step forward," he said. "One day at a time."

VanVleet, Brooks and Green will all have a new coach this season in Houston -- the Rockets inked Ime Udoka to a new deal back in April ... so it'll be a bunch of fresh faces all around in 2023.

Britney Spears and NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama have critically different accounts of what went down before his security guard slapped her, and video of the incident, obtained by TMZ, supports Britney's version.

Check out the video ... you hear Britney approach Victor outside Catch restaurant in Vegas Wednesday night, screaming in a British accent, "Sir, Sir!"

Britney reaches up and taps Victor on his left shoulder. This is important because Victor described Britney "grabbing" him. The video does not support that claim.

You then see Victor's security slap her hand and either his hand struck her face or he made contact with her hand and the force of impact caused her hand to hit her face.

Either way, you hear the slap. As the police said, it does not appear he struck her intentionally ... it was more him swatting her hand away.

Britney's glasses flew off, but she did not fall as she indicated.

After the slap, you hear Britney clearly upset, screaming, still in a British accent, "That's America for you. F*** you all!"

Britney and friends went to dinner after the incident ... where a witness tells us she seemed super pissed.

As we reported, the Metro PD has closed it's investigation and no charges will be filed against Victor's security.

Originally Published -- 10:53 AM PT

Honey Boo Boo's dad was supposed to check in for some much-needed help to combat his prescription pill addiction at a rehab owned by Lamar Odom, but he's since gone MIA ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Lamar tell us Sugar Bear was scheduled to fly into Kansas Thursday night and begin treatment with Odom Recovery Group at the Gold Bridge Treatment Center for his serious issues. However, we're told he never got on that flight ... and he's giving the Odom group radio silence.

Our sources say Lamar and co. believe SB simply got cold feet, because first he told them he couldn't attend the rehab because of work, then said he couldn't go because he was in the hospital for another health issue.

We're told Lamar's team isn't giving up on Sugar Bear, and hope he'll change his mind on getting help -- but he's not been responsive in their efforts to get in touch.

As we reported ... Lamar purchased 3 rehab centers in California earlier this year, and he's built on that foundation ever since.

Luka Dončić didn't get a ring this year ... but his girlfriend did -- 'cause the Dallas Mavericks star just proposed to Anamaria Goltes in Slovenia -- and she said YES!!!

The NBA point guard and his new fiancee revealed their engagement in social media posts on Friday ... showing the basketball player got down on one knee at Lake Bled.

"💍❤️ 7.7," Doncic captioned the pic.

LeBron James was one of many who were stoked for the hooper ... writing in the comment section on Luka's Instagram post, "Congrats brother!!!!"

Dončić and Glotes have known each other since they were kids ... and, eventually, they began to date in their teenage years.

While the two were off and on for a bit, they ultimately became super serious as Dončić began establishing himself as one of the best players in the NBA.

Since then, she's been seen by his side often ... and she's even been spotted helping out at his charity events in Slovenia while he was back in the States playing basketball.

Now, they'll get to spend forever together ... something the two couldn't seem more pleased about.

The Victor Wembanyama security guard accused of slapping Britney Spears during a wild incident in Las Vegas on Wednesday night will NOT be charged with a crime, cops say.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. ... an investigation into the allegations concluded on Friday morning -- and "no charges will be filed."

No further details regarding the police probe were revealed.

TMZ broke the story ... Spears had attempted to get Wembanyama's attention while outside of Catch restaurant in the ARIA Hotel -- but in an effort to keep the singer away from the San Antonio Spurs star, Wembanyama's security guard struck her in the face.

Spears claimed she was hit with such force, it rocked the glasses off her head ... and nearly knocked her to the ground.

She demanded an apology ... while her husband, Sam Asghari, said he wanted to see the guard punished.

For Wembanyama's part, he said he had no idea it was Spears who wanted his attention until several hours later.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft also told reporters Thursday that the whole incident with the guard was kicked off because Spears "grabbed" him from behind.

Spears, though, refuted that claim ... and said she simply "tapped him on the shoulder."

Photos we obtained from inside Catch later in the evening show Spears was visibly agitated at her table -- and according to one eyewitness, she seemed to be in shock ... and, at one point, made a beeline for the bathroom.

Spears has yet to publicly comment on the results of of the police findings.

Originally Published -- 9:32 AM PT

Britney Spears was extremely agitated after getting slapped by a security guard protecting NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama ... according to an eyewitness and photos obtained by TMZ.

TMZ broke the story ... Britney was outside Catch restaurant at the Aria Hotel Wednesday night when she saw Victor and made her way to him for a selfie. She says she tapped him on the back -- he says she grabbed him -- and Victor's security guy backhanded her across the face. Metro police are now conducting a criminal battery investigation.

An eyewitness who was dining at Catch when Britney walked in tells TMZ ... as she walked in she said in a "very animated voice" that the security guard "punched" her in the face, as she pointed at the guy who was sitting at another table.

The eyewitness says Britney's security guy went over to Victor's security and asked the guy to come over to her table and apologize. The eyewitness says the guy walked over and said "I'm sorry," and said something to the effect he didn't know it was her when he made contact.

Britney seemed in shock, according to the eyewitness, and angry. She said she couldn't believe it happened and beelined it for the bathroom.

We've learned so far ... neither Victor nor anyone else from the San Antonio Spurs has reached out to Britney, and she is not pleased.

We covered it all in the latest episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

Dennis Rodman took the saying "tattoo my name so I know it's real" to the extreme ... getting a portrait of his girlfriend's face inked on his cheek!!

The NBA legend hit up 'Black Ink Crew's Van Johnson on Thursday, getting tattooed at the artist's home. Dennis shared video of the new tattoo on social media.

As for anyone who thinks the ink is fake, Johnson tells TMZ Sports it's "really real," saying the job took a little over an hour to finish.

"He was a champ, he sat through it," Johnson says. "Pretty random, but he love the hell out that girl."

We're told Dennis and his GF love the piece, but not everyone feels the same way ... some fans in the comments weren't exactly loving the new artwork, with one person writing, "You should have tried to talk him outta that my G."

Another person wrote ... "His girlfriend should have been against that. Shows her immaturity to NOT STOP him from doing this."

Though, it's a safe bet Dennis, who has a ton of tattoos and has never been shy when expressing himself, isn't losing sleep over a few negative Instagram comments.

Britney Spears says NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama is simply wrong when he says she "grabbed" him from behind ... she insists it was simply a friendly tap.

Britney is responding to the story TMZ broke early Thursday ... that the head of Victor's security backhanded her in the face outside Catch restaurant in Vegas. The account she just posted on social media aligns with what she told the police.

Britney says, "I recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again." That hotel is Aria.

She goes on to describe the encounter ... "I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.  It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention."

Now the dispute ... "I am aware the players statement where he mentions 'I grabbed him from behind' but I simply tapped him on the shoulder."

As for the slap, she says "His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of the crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face."

Britney adds she herself was "swarmed" by around 20 fans on her way into Aria, noting, "My security team didn't hit any of them."

As we reported, Victor spoke with reporters -- including KENS 5 reporter Nate Ryan -- after practice Thursday to detail his side of how things went down.

Britney says, "“I also don’t appreciate nor do I thin this is a laughing matter. Watching the player smile and laugh was cruel and demoralizing with the situation that took place. I am 5’3 and he’s 7’4…”

Sources close to Britney tell us she hasn't yet heard from Victor's team and she's pissed about it ... thinking someone would've at least reached out to apologize.

TMZ spoke to an eyewitness who says he not only saw the head of security slap Britney, he heard the impact.  He also says Britney was furious, screaming "This is f****** America."

As we reported, Metro PD has launched a criminal investigation and interviewed Britney this morning at her hotel. We're told the case will "likely" be referred to the D.A. for review.

Victor Wembanyama says Britney Spears didn't just tap him on the shoulder before a security guard put his hand on her on Wednesday night ... the NBA star says she full-on "grabbed me from behind" -- sparking the intense scene.

The San Antonio Spurs' top pick explained his side of the situation to KENS 5 reporter Nate Ryan shortly after a workout on Thursday afternoon ... saying it all went down as he was walking into Catch restaurant in the ARIA Hotel in Las Vegas.

Wembanyama -- the most touted basketball prospect since LeBron James -- said there were a lot of people in the hallway near the eatery calling for him ... but he was instructed not to stop in order to avoid creating a chaotic scene.

One woman, though, kept asking for him ... before she ran up to him and put her arms around him.

He later learned that person was Spears.

"I didn't see what happened, because I was walking straight and we were told, 'Don't stop,'" Wembanyama said. "But that person grabbed me from behind -- not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind -- and so I just know the security pushed her away."

"I don't know with how much force, though. But security pushed her away. I didn't stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy the nice dinner."

Wembanyama said he didn't know the woman was Spears until "a couple hours later" because he never saw her face.

"At first I was like, 'No, you're joking,'" he said. "But, yeah, it turns out it was Britney Spears."

Spears' husband, Sam Asghari, also addressed his side of the incident in a pair of Instagram posts Thursday afternoon ... chastising Wembanyama's security guard for getting physical with the singer during the incident.

"The violent behavior of an out-of-control security guard should not cast a shadow on the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise @wemby," he said. "The blame should fall on the coward who did this, the people who hired him without proper vetting, and a systemic culture of disregard for women within sports and entertainment."

Sam went on to say he believed Spears was "physically assaulted," and he demanded to see changes "come from the top."

"And I look forward to those changes," he said.