WNBA

Zia Cooke was brought to tears after the Los Angeles Sparks selected her with the 10th overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft on Monday night ... but get this, the moment got even more emotional for her -- 'cause she later got a shout-out from Magic Johnson!

The sweet scene all went down at Spring Studios New York in Manhattan after the former South Carolina point guard -- who averaged 15.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season -- walked on the stage following the Sparks' selection.

You can see in video of the draft's broadcast, she broke down in tears ... before saying, "It means the most."

"I put in a lot of work since I was 6 years old," she added while crying. "I put my life into this."

The Ohio native also spoke of her father ... saying he's been supportive since day one, always making sure her dreams would come true.

During the broadcast, Cooke's dad could also be seen watching his daughter give her emotional speech with pride.

"My dad, being here for me since I was a kid," Cooke said, "this is something I dreamed of and I'm finally here. It's crazy."

Cooke's father wasn't the only one supporting her at the draft ... her coach, Dawn Staley, was in the crowd showin' love -- and then L.A. legend Magic Johnson took to Twitter to praise her too!

"I’m excited that we are bringing a winner, dynamic guard that plays both ends of the court, and a player with a high basketball IQ to the @LASparks, South Carolina’s Zia Cooke!" Johnson tweeted.

"Welcome to LA @zia_cooke!"

There were other cool moments from the 2023 draft ... Aliyah Boston -- the No. 1 overall pick -- had reporters take photos of her with her cellphone, while Haley Jones, who was selected by the Atlanta Dream, went old school and brought out a camcorder to the draft.

Of course, the female athletes came in their best drip -- Seattle Storm first-round pick Jordan Horston pulled up in a full Louis Vuitton fit, while South Carolina's Breanna Beal, who dates NFL star Jaycee Horn, was vibrant with a hot pink, two-piece suit.

LSU star and NCAA champ Alexis Morris also turned heads ... looking flawless in an elegant black blazer and slacks.

Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder is saying thanks, but no thanks to Jill Biden welcoming the Hawkeyes to the White House ... saying LSU should be the only team visiting because they're the champs.

Bluder dropped the friendly RSVP to Biden's suggestion on Tuesday ... tweeting, "I gratefully acknowledge the First Lady’s sentiments, but a day at the White House should belong solely to the champion, LSU and Coach Mulkey."

The 3-time Big Ten Coach of the Year then flipped the script ... saying the Bidens should jump on Air Force One and visit them instead!!!

"We would welcome the First Lady and President to come to Iowa’s 'House' – Carver Hawkeye Arena — any time!"

Of course, FLOTUS's proposal caused a lot of commotion since the whole point of teams visiting the WH is that they're the winners.

Biden's Press Secretary later clarified her words ... saying FLOTUS made the suggestion to admire "how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX."

LSU's Angel Reese wasn't buying the explanation ... and believes her team wouldn't be receiving the same treatment if they lost to Iowa.

"I just know if the roles were reversed, it wouldn't be the same," Reese said on I Am Athlete. "If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House."

The star forward is unsure if she'll go to the White House to celebrate LSU women's first-ever title ... but President Joe Biden says he looks forward to meeting them and UConn, who won the men's NCAA championship on Monday.

Angel Reese has an unlikely ally ... Iowa star Caitlin Clark is coming to the defense of the newly crowned NCAA champ, straight up saying "I don't think there should be any criticism for what she did."

Of course, 21-year-old Clark found herself at the center of the biggest sports story in the country on Monday, after 20-year-old Reese threw up John Cena's famed "You Can't See Me" celly right in CC's face during the waning seconds of Sunday's women's national championship game.

Reese was instantly attacked online, with many people calling her actions unsportsmanlike. Defenders of Angel pointed to Caitlin's use of the Cena celebration during the very same NCAA tourney. Clark's defenders pointed out she didn't do it in her opponent's face. And, the debate raged on.

But, now Clark is weighing in ... and hopefully putting an end to the debate -- was Angel right or wrong.

"I think the biggest thing is we're all competitive. We all show our emotions in a different way. Angel is a tremendous, tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game, the way she rebounds the ball, scores the ball is absolutely incredible. I'm a big fan of her and even the entire LSU team," Clark said during an interview with ESPN.

"Like I said, they played an amazing game so I don't think there should be any criticism for what she did. I honestly didn't see it when the game was going on and like I said, I haven't been on social media really at all."

FYI, despite the criticism (there was also a bunch of support), after the game, Reese made it clear she wasn't going to apologize.

Caitlin also addressed Jill Biden's recent comments, where she remarked she'd tell her husband, President Joe Biden to invite the losing Iowa team because "they played such a good game."

FLOTUS was destroyed for the comment ... as it's customary for the winner of a championship, never the loser, to head to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave for some face time with the prez.

"I don't think runner-ups usually go to the White House. I think LSU should, you know, enjoy that moment for them."

So, debate settled??? Probably not.

We covered it all in a recent episode of The TMZ Podcast, available on all podcast platforms!

Brittney Griner weighed in on Russia's detainment of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, saying she's greatly concerned for his safety and urging President Biden to do everything he can to bring him home.

The Women's National Basketball Association star took to Instagram Saturday night to show her support for Gershkovich, who was taken into custody by Russian authorities last Thursday and accused of spying.

As you know, Griner was convicted by a Russian court for possessing cannabis oil in 2022, and she spent 10 months in a Russian jail before the Biden administration got her released in a prisoner swap.

Griner and her wife, Cherelle, wrote, “Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovich and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia."They continued, “Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all."

The couple then called on Biden to use every tool at his disposal to bring Gershkovich home, as well as all Americans who have been wrongfully detained abroad. Gershkovich was the first US journalist to be detained in Russia on an espionage charge since the Cold War.

The Wall Street Journal has denied the spying charge and demanded the immediate release of Gershkovich.

President Biden sent a blunt message Friday to Russia to "Let him go," referring to Gershkovich. Vice President Kamala Harris said she's "deeply concerned" about the arrest amid rising tensions with Moscow over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Caitlin Clark has turned John Cena into a huge fan of hers -- because after the Iowa star hit the wrestler's signature celebration during a historic game Sunday night ... he showed her big love on his social media page!!!

Clark went crazy in the Hawkeyes' 97-83 win over Louisville in the women's NCAA tournament's Elite Eight ... and at one moment in her triple-double performance, she broke out Cena's signature "You Can't See Me" move.

The gesture was, of course, fitting ... because Louisville simply couldn't stop the Iowa guard -- who finished the night with 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

Cena eventually got word of it all on Tuesday afternoon -- and gave Clark a HUGE shoutout on Twitter.

"Even if they could see you," the wrestler wrote, "they couldn’t guard you!"

"Congrats on the historic performance @CaitlinClark22," he added, "and to @IowaWBB on advancing to the Final Four!"

The two sports stars both now have some big weekends coming up -- Clark plays South Carolina on Friday night with a trip to the national championship on the line, while Cena will throw down with Austin Theory on Saturday evening at Wrestlemania 39.

Tom Brady never played for the Raiders, but he still made his way to Sin City in retirement -- the 7-time Super Bowl champion just became a part owner of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces!!

Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis made the announcement minutes ago ... saying, "Since I purchased the Aces, our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces, and the WNBA, but for women’s professional sports as a whole."

The team says TB12 first got hooked on the Aces when he had a courtside seat as LV beat the Connecticut Sun during a home game on May 31, 2022.

Brady -- who also owns a Major League Pickleball team -- released a statement on the business venture ... saying, "I am very excited to be part of the Las Vegas Aces organization."

"My love for women’s sports began at a young age when I would tag along to all my older sisters' games -- They were by far the best athletes in our house! We celebrated their accomplishments together as a family, and they remain a great inspiration to me."

Brady added he loves what the players and coaches on the Aces, as well as the league as a whole, have been able to do to improve the sport and inspire young athletes.

"To be able to contribute in any way to that mission as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor."

Naturally, Brady joins a winning team -- the Aces secured the WNBA championship last season.

No word on how much Brady's piece of the Aces is worth -- reports have estimated the average WNBA team to be valued at $13.7 million -- but considering the guy made a ton of money on and off the field over the course of his 23-year career, he can spot the dough.

Was Darren Waller traded because his head coach Josh McDaniels wasn't invited to his wedding?!

Well, maybe. At the very least, McDaniels is anti-love.

Of course, 30-year-old Waller was traded to the New York Giants Tuesday, prompting Robert Griffin III to fire off a tweet.

"Darren Waller JUST GOT MARRIED to Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces and Josh McDaniels’ wedding present was to trade him to the New York Giants. McDaniels is NOT a romantic."

Plum saw RG3's tweet and responded ... "Prolly cause he wasn’t invited to the wedding lol"

FYI, Waller and Plum married just 11 days ago, and officially became Mr. and Mrs. following a beautiful ceremony on March 4.

Now, it's entirely possible Kelsey and Darren had a small/intimate wedding, and no one from the Raiders attended.

However, there are reports there was tension between Waller and McDaniels.

In fact, Waller -- who played four seasons with the Raiders -- was upset with McDaniels, according to Vic Tafur from The Athletic ... after the new coach leaked news of their private wedding to reporters at the NFL Combine.

Whatever the reason for trading an elite player, Plum says they're stoked to be coming to the Big Apple!

"Actually couldn't be better, we're so excited," Plum said on Instagram after the trade. "NY let's get it 💙."

Five-star hoops prospect Kiyomi McMiller -- arguably the top girls H.S. basketball player in the country -- tells TMZ Sports she's hoping to get a signature shoe just like Michael Jordan ... after she inked a deal with His Airness' brand last month.

We spoke to the 16-year-old -- a superstar point guard for Life Center Academy in Burlington, NJ -- just a few weeks after she put the pen to paper with Jordan ... and she told us the historic deal is "pretty crazy."

And, she said that now that she's a part of the MJ roster ... she wants her own line of kicks one day -- perhaps with something that ties into her "The Product" nickname.

She added, though, that her "ultimate goal is to be the greatest of all-time."

Kiyomi's parents coached at a local college when she was young, sparking her love for the game -- and it was actually her father, Mike, who came up with her famous moniker. McMiller said Dad thought of it because he believes she can deliver anything that's needed on the basketball court.

McMiller -- who wears #23 just like Mike -- told us Julius Erving, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and MJ are her top-five favorite players of all time ... and said the reason she considers Jordan the greatest ever is because he stood out among other NBA greats.

Kiyomi, a junior who's yet to commit to a college, is planning on majoring in communications, sports management or marketing.

We asked McMiller -- whose lethal handles and shiftiness on the court make her a must-see -- what player inspires her game the most ... and she said Kyrie and KD influence how she plays.

Raiders star tight end Darren Waller and WNBA champion Kelsey Plum officially tied the knot ... the two Las Vegas stars got married Saturday in front of family and friends!

Plum posted a series of pictures on Instagram ... of her and the Pro Bowl TE kissing each other, and the two looked extremely happy after saying "I do."

Kelsey captioned the pics of her and Waller, "Him 🖤 3.4.23."

Waller wore a cream-colored jacket with black slacks, a black bow tie, and black shoes ... while the bride wore a traditional white dress for the big occasion.

Of course, Darren and Kelsey's marriage is a big deal ... after all, the power sports couple are among the top athletes in their respective sports.

Superstars across the sports world congratulated Waller and Plum after they tied the knot ... Odell Beckham Jr. and Candace Parker showed them love on their wedding day.

"Congrats man you look beautiful," Parker wrote on Plum's post, followed by the Super Bowl champ, OBJ, who wrote, "congrats to yallll!!"

Waller and Plum have reportedly been dating since last year ... and filed for a marriage license on January 22, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Kelsey -- drafted with the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft -- won a title with the Aces last season ... and now, she's added another ring to her finger.

Brittney Griner is picking up right where she left off with the Phoenix Mercury ... smiling from ear-to-ear as she donned the team's uniform once again for a photoshoot.

The Mercury posted a behind-the-scenes look at Griner posing for the cam on Friday ... just days after the WNBA star signed a one-year deal to solidify her return to Phoenix.

In the video shared on the Mercury's official Twitter account, BG was her normal charismatic self ... showing off her dribbling skills and grinning as the cameras fired away.

Griner -- who hasn't played a WNBA game since 2021 -- gave Mercury fans a taste of what they can expect once she hits the court by showing off some behind-the-back passes.

As we previously reported, 32-year-old Griner got back into the swing of things when she showed up to a shoot-around session earlier this week ... and she looked thrilled throughout the workout.

The Mercury have embraced Griner amid her return to the U.S. and the team ... after all, when last seen, BG was one of the most dominant forces in the WNBA.

Griner -- a 6-time All-Star and 2-time Olympic Gold medalist -- led the Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014 ... and she averaged a career-high 21.9 points per game in 2017.

Brittney Griner looks thrilled to be back on a basketball court with her WNBA team ... judging by this glimpse the Phoenix Mercury's providing of her shoot-around sesh.

32-year-old Griner was all smiles Tuesday as she got some work in on the practice court ... just a couple days after she inked a one-year deal to return to her former team.

Remember ... Brittney hasn't played in the WNBA since the 2021 season, when she averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds to lead the Mercury to the WNBA Finals.

BG went overseas last year to play basketball in Russia, but as you know ... she was arrested at an airport just outside Moscow in February 2022 after Russia claimed she was caught attempting to smuggle vape cartridges into the country.

Brittney was detained in Russia for 10 months until December 2022, when she came home in a swap for high-value Russian prisoner Viktor Bout.

BG vowed to return to the WNBA as soon as she got home ... and over the weekend she agreed to a deal with the Mercury, the team that originally drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

NY Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu just accomplished something no women's basketball player ever has ... her rookie card just became the most expensive WNBA card EVER after selling at auction!!!

TMZ Sports has learned Ionescu's 2020 Panini Prizm WNBA Black Gold rookie card made history on Sunday night when it sold for $10,800.

Reps for PWCC, which brokered the sale, tell us it's the first time a WNBA card has netted five figures on the block.

As for why it was so coveted ... it's one of the rarest Ionescu pieces ever made -- with only five copies in existence.

The card -- graded a Gem Mint 10 -- is super cool ... it features the 25-year-old superstar handling the rock on the front, and on the back, it has a blurb about her college career.

Of course, the price of the card is eyebrow-raising ... considering she's only been in the WNBA since 2020 -- but according to PWCC officials, demand for her memorabilia has skyrocketed after NY added some huge free agents, including Breanna Stewart, this offseason.

"The table is set for one of the most exciting WNBA seasons to date and Ionescu is right at the forefront," PWCC exec Jesse Craig said. "Collectors are anticipating that energy and excitement and looking to buy premier Ionescu cards. We're entering an interesting phase here where supply for these high-end cards won't be able to match the demand."

Brittney Griner is returning to the WNBA, signing a 1-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury ... less than 3 months after being freed from a Russian jail, where she spent nearly 10 months.

32-year-old Griner last played during the 2021 WNBA season ... where she lead the Mercury to the Finals. They lost to the Chicago Sky, 3 games to 1.

Many fans questioned whether Griner would return to the court after she was swapped with high-value Russian prisoner, Viktor Bout as part of her release in December 2022 ... but Brittney vowed to return to the court.

“I also want to make one thing very clear, I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season," BG wrote shortly after her release, adding she wished to thank everyone who advocated on her behalf while she was locked up.

Of course, Griner was locked up near Moscow in February 2022 after Russia claimed she was caught attempting to smuggle vape cartridges into the country. BG wasn't unknown to Russia ... she previously hooped overseas, where players can earn a more lucrative salary.

The 2023 WNBA season starts in mid-May.

The terms of the deal have not yet been announced ... and neither Griner nor the organization, have issued a statement on the signing.

Kevin Durant got his wish -- WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart just signed with the New York Liberty ... and he's hyped!!!

The former Seattle Storm forward announced her decision Wednesday by posting a video wearing her new team's merch ... and playing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind" in the background.

Durant -- who was actively recruiting Stewart to the Big Apple -- went straight to Twitter when he saw the news ... saying, "Aye, don’t call my phone lookin for tickets this summer, they gone."

"Let’s get it @nyliberty."

Of course, the Brooklyn Nets star is probably patting himself on the back just a little bit ... considering he revealed on Monday he was texting the 2-time WNBA champ, telling her to join the NY team.

"I hit Stewie the other day," Durant said on the Boardroom podcast. "And I never do this, and was like, 'Yo, it would be an incredible dynasty in New York City if you came here."

He's right -- Stewart is one of the best in the WNBA ... and now, she's joining star guard Sabrina Ionescu and 6'6" forward Jonquel Jones to make a Big 3.

Ionescu is clearly stoked over the new addition ... and shared a photoshopped pic of the trio together after the massive deal.

Stewart wasn't the only big signing in the WNBA's offseason ... Candace Parker officially signed with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.

New York Liberty versus the Vegas Aces for the 2023 WNBA Finals? We'll see!!!

Brittney Griner, less than 6 weeks after she was sprung from a Russian penal colony, surprised a group of people gathered for an MLK day march in Phoenix ... on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 94th birthday.

The Phoenix Mercury superstar hit up the event with her wife, Cherelle ... and took pics with fans, who were visibly elated to see the hooper.

Of course, states celebrate MLK Jr. Day on the third Monday in January ... a day to remember one of the most influential civil rights leaders in the history of the world.

FYI, Arizona was the last state to recognize MLK Jr. Day (1992) after President Ronald Reagan signed a law making it a federal holiday in 1983 (though it was first observed in 1986.)

Brittney, of course, has a special relationship with Arizona ... she's played her entire WNBA career with the Mercury after dominating in college at Baylor.

Griner missed the 2021-22 WNBA season ... after she was arrested for carrying marijuana vape cartridges (hashish oil) through an airport in Russia in February.

After 10+ grueling months in a Russian penal colony, Brittney was released in a prisoner exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The 6'9" hooper returned to the United States sporting a different look -- forced to cut her dreads because of the brutally cold temperatures in Russia -- and has maintained a low profile since her release.

Maya Moore is hangin' up her jersey ... the 4-time WNBA champ and UConn legend announced Monday she's retiring from the game of basketball.

The former Minnesota Lynx guard broke the news on "Good Morning America," saying she's officially leaving basketball after a 7-year WNBA career.

"I think it is time to put a close on the pro basketball life,' the 33-year-old told 'GMA' host Robin Roberts.

"I walked away four seasons ago but I wanted to officially retire."

FYI, Maya last played in the WNBA in 2018.

Of course, Moore stepped away from basketball to focus on criminal injustice reform and Jonathan Irons ... who she helped free after he was wrongly convicted of burglary and assault in Missouri and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The two got married shortly after his release in July 2020 and welcomed their first child in 2022.

In fact, Moore was on 'GMA' to promote her new book "Love & Justice" which is set to be released on Tuesday. It's about Maya and Jonathan's love story.

"This is such a sweet time for us and our family and the work that we've done -- I want to continue that in the next chapter," Moore said.

"I want to continue to be present at home, for my community, for my family, [for my] little baby, for Jonathan but also doing work with Win With Justice, our nonprofit, to continue to bring awareness about prosecutorial reform."

Before Moore's criminal justice advocacy, she was considered one of the best female basketball players to ever hit the court.

While playing under Geno Auriemma at UCONN from 2007 to 2011, the McDonald All-American won two NCAA championships, two Naismith College Player of the Year and broke several records including the most points (678) in a single season for the Huskies.

Moore was drafted as the overall #1 pick in 2011 and played for the Minnesota Lynx for seven seasons. She became a 6-time WNBA All-Star, a 4-time WNBA champ, WNBA Finals MVP, the WNBA's season MVP ... and the list goes on.

Maya also won two Olympic gold and FIBA gold medals ... making her one of only 11 women to win Olympic gold, an NCAA title, FIBA World cup gold, and a WNBA championship.