TMZ Sports

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."

Deshaun Watson is having some fun in the sun with his model girlfriend Jilly Anais at one of the most picturesque places in the world ... before the star quarterback heads to training camp later this month!

The singer/model -- who's been with the NFL quarterback for five years -- shared video from their vacay in Ibiza, Spain ... ahead of Watson's third season in Cleveland.

It's obvious they're both having a GREAT time ... doing everything from jet skiing in the blue ocean to eating delicious food and sippin' champagne.

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.

The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a heartbreaking loss on Tuesday -- the team's live mascot, Swagger Jr., has passed away.

He was just five years old.

The team posted a touching message in the Bullmastiff's honor minutes ago ... saying, "We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved mascot, SJ. We are so grateful for his many years of loyal support and cherish all of the wonderful memories he helped create for fans young and old."

Oklahoma State star running back Ollie Gordon II, who scored 21 rushing touchdowns last season, was arrested over the weekend ... after authorities said they believed he was driving drunk.

In court documents, obtained by TMZ Sports, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper wrote they pulled over Gordon's black 2024 Cadillac at around 2:30 AM on Sunday ... after they say they saw it swerving and speeding on a local interstate.

During the ensuing stop, the trooper said in the docs "an odor associated with an alcoholic beverage" emanated from Gordon's ride ... so they conducted an interview with the 20-year-old football player.

Devastating news in the sports world ... rising Badminton star Zhang Zhijie died after collapsing during a match on Sunday. He was only 17.

The tragic incident occurred during the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia ... as China's Zhijie faced Japan's Kazuma Kawano.

Footage of the incident, which we will not share, shows Zhijie collapsing, sending him crashing to the floor, where he appeared to convulse ... as his opponent and other officials stood watching.

Ed Sheeran is pulling out all the stops to help his home team get ready for its Euro 2024 quarterfinal ... performing a private gig for the England soccer squad!!

The four-time Grammy Award winner -- a fellow Englishman -- swung by the Three Lions' training session on Monday ... and lent his vocals to help the team unwind following its hard-fought 2-1 win against Slovakia on Sunday.

Sheeran brought his guitar along for the performance ... and footage shows him strumming along and singing his hit, "The A Team."

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.

Cops know Kroy Biermann and Kim Zolciak's Georgia address by heart now -- they've been there enough -- but their latest visit wasn't for the couple fighting ... cops say the problem is their massive dog.

TMZ obtained a Milton PD report in which officers say they slapped Kroy with a citation Saturday due to a neighbor's complaint about his dog, Stone, getting loose and allegedly terrorizing a neighbor.

According to the docs, the neighbor called police after spotting the dog running free in the neighborhood, and claimed Stone had been "aggressive" toward her.

Prince Harry has key figures in his corner amid the outrage over ESPN's decision to honor him with the Pat Tillman Award for Service -- at least 2 former winners say Harry is definitely deserving.

Jake Wood, a U.S. Marine and former college football player who won the award in 2018, tells TMZ … the Duke of Sussex is a natural fit for the Tillman honor because of Harry's military service and his dedication to veterans.

Jake feels Prince Harry is a good choice because he's dedicated his life to serving and supporting the military and veterans -- Harry served 2 tours in Afghanistan -- and that should be commended because there are hundreds of different ways a British royal could live his life.

Dan Ige was planning on watching UFC 303 like the rest of us ... on the couch. But before the main card kicked off ... he found himself walking into the arena to take a fight against Diego Lopes on four hours notice -- and he tells TMZ Sports he would do it all over again!

We spoke with the 32-year-old fighter days after he saved the day for the UFC on its marquee card for International Fight Week. Ige said he is still riding the high of the entire saga.

"The last 24 hours have been an emotional roller coaster," he said. "I was preparing for a night in three weeks. Then, just getting the call on four hours notice and making that walk on such a huge event, saving the card, UFC 303 as the co-main event. 19,000 fans in the arena, getting a standing ovation. What a moment, what an opportunity."

Kanye West is facing some serious allegations, O.J. Simpson has the BET Awards in hot water and Brandon Aiyuk has a desired NFL landing spot ... all this on TMZ TV Hot Takes.

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles break down a new lawsuit against Kanye, including allegations he mocked his employees as "new slaves."

Bradon Nimmo fainted in his bathroom and suffered a gnarly head wound early Monday morning ... but, thankfully, the Mets outfielder says he's going to be OK -- even though he's going to miss some playing time.

The 31-year-old says the scary spill happened in his hotel room at around 5:15 AM -- after he woke up with an upset stomach.

Nimmo, sporting a small bandage on his forehead, told media members just before New York's game against the Washington Nationals on Monday night that at some point, however, he blacked out, hit his forehead on something ... and woke up bleeding.

Hollywood stars, sports legends, and a billionaire or two had a kick-ass view for UFC 303, but none of them were at T-Mobile Arena ... instead, Vince Vaughn and a gang of other celebs partied and watched fights at a new, super cool immersive theater in L.A.

Cosm Los Angeles -- a 65,000 square foot theatre with a massive curved LED screen in Hollywood Park (next to the Rams' SoFi Stadium) -- is designed to transport fans, giving them the best seat in the house at the biggest sporting events and concerts.

Think of being in the Octagon as Alex Pereira throws punches and kicks (except you never get hit 😰). That's what it's like ... and thanks to a bunch of partnerships with leagues, promotions, and networks, Cosm will show the UFC, NBA, NHL, Premiere League soccer, USA Soccer and much more.

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.

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast ever, but R&B sensation SZA impressively held her own against the GOAT on the mat -- with the two going head-to-head in a handstand competition!!

The friendly contest went down at Biles' gym in a promotion for the 2024 Summer Olympics ... with the Grammy winner meeting the American athlete for the first time, which she called a dream come true.

The "Snooze" artist -- a former gymnast herself -- opened up on her own experiences in the sport ... saying once she knew she wasn't going to be able to compete at the national level, it was time to try her hand at music.