TMZ Sports - Page 44

Ex-NBA player John Amaechi is calling out West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins over the anti-gay comments he made earlier this week ... telling TMZ Sports everyone involved in the conversation is straight-up "disgusting."

As we previously reported, Huggins used homophobic slurs during a Cincinnati radio appearance on Monday ... referring to Xavier fans as "Catholic f**s" while speaking with Bill Cunningham on 700 WLW.

Amaechi -- who came out as gay in 2007 -- got wind of what the coaching legend said ... and he believes, unfortunately, Huggins isn't the only one in a sports leadership role who would use such a term.

"I don’t know the man -- but he sounds like a dinosaur," Amaechi tells TMZ Sports. "College (and indeed pro) sports are littered with them."

But Amaechi isn't just disappointed in Huggins -- he continued to speak out against the show's hosts ... saying they "are also disgusting and to blame for egging this conversation on and calling him 'the best' after he said those words."

"It's hardly surprising that some people still think it’s OK to say these words," he added. "As to whether he should be an educator (as a coach or otherwise), I would remind people that the vociferously anti-trans and anti-gay usually sit in a constellation where many other minority groups (including Black and Brown people) are also held in contempt."

Amaechi -- who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz over the course of 5 seasons in the Association -- has become a voice for the LGBTQ+ community since coming out ... and has also built a career as a psychologist and professor at a Russell Group university.

He was recently honored for his work at an event ... where he gave a powerful monologue that actually ties in with Huggins' controversy.

"I won an award the other day from the Sports Industry, and in my acceptance speech, I talked about sports being an empty vessel that people fill with who they are -- if you imagine what this man fills his sport with, it's hard to imagine that the human outcomes will be positive, even if sporting success occurs," Amaechi says.

Dallas Braden, Oakland A's color commentator, is defending himself from critics who blasted the former pitcher for remaining silent after broadcasting partner Glen Kuiper used the n-word during a live broadcast last week, saying "My silence has been misrepresented."

"At the time of the incident, I was not aware that anything in the broadcast was amiss," Braden said in a lengthy statement on Twitter. "In that moment, I missed the live comment, and I was not aware of it until the sixth inning when Glen Kuiper made an apology."

He continued, "I would like you to know that this incident has, indeed, impacted me greatly."

Braden -- who pitched for Oakland from 2007-2011 -- noted commentators sometimes don't hear or see what the audience does due to the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of live broadcasts ... coupled with producers talking in their ears.

As we previously reported, Kuiper referred to the Negro League Museum as the "N***** League Museum", and Braden, sitting beside him, said nothing to Kuiper on air.

Kuiper apologized later in the game ... admitting he misspoke when he used the racial slur. Still, NBC Sports California suspended the 59-year-old, saying he wouldn't return until they investigated the incident.

Braden called Kuiper's remarks "an unfortunate mistake." He also said he supports him "as he furthers his work in understanding the impact and hurt" he's caused, adding he's doing his part to ensure this can be a teachable moment for everyone involved.

Former Phoenix Suns general manager Lance Blanks died by suicide ... his daughter revealed.

In an emotional piece that Riley Blanks Reed penned for ESPN on Tuesday morning ... she announced Lance killed himself last Wednesday.

"People will want more information," Blanks Reed said of her father's death. "But the fact is we will never truly know why. And we don't need to. All we need to do is remember him, honor him, celebrate him, and pour our love into the family that made him happy."

Lance was 56 years old.

In her letter, Blanks Reed reminisced on all the good times she had with her father ... remembering him as "my person, my idol, my teacher, my best friend and my confidant."

"He encompassed everything to me," she said.

Lance starred at the Univ. of Texas from 1988 through 1989 -- and had such a great two seasons there, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Honor in 2007.

Following his Longhorns days, Lance went on to have careers as a player and an exec in the NBA -- ultimately working for the Suns as their GM from 2010 to 2013 -- before he signed on to be an analyst for the Longhorn Network.

Blanks Reed said while all of his career accomplishments were incredible ... she knew him best for being "a leader and a guardian angel."

"In the darkness of my worst nights," she wrote, "he always picked up the phone."

Blanks Reed added, "Daddy, Lance, LB, my forever hero, has left a void that cannot be filled. And yet, I find solace in the promise to honor him with everything he left us. In the loving embrace of my sister, Bryn, I will remember that we are both forever connected to the remarkable man who was our world."

Paige VanZant is crediting her haters for a change she's making after being fat-shamed on YouTube -- the combat sports star is vowing to portray a more authentic image on social media going forward.

29-year-old PVZ opened up late Monday night, revealing she's gained "probably 20+ pounds" and for it, she's been bullied online ... but Paige says the jerks on social media have actually helped her come to a realization.

"The truth is, yes, I have gained a lot of weight... probably 20+ pounds but I also gained strength, power, muscle and a f*** ton of happiness," VanZant wrote.

"I see every single comment on my YouTube channel about how I look pregnant, obese, fat as f***, and won’t be able to fit through a door soon. But one thing I have always remembered. Happy people ain’t haters and haters ain’t happy."

Alongside the lengthy caption, Paige, who last boxed in July 2021, posted a video where she flexes in the mirror, and shows off her front and side profile. Going forward, she's vowing to continue showing the "real me" from here on out.

"I promise from this day forward to show the real me, forever. The fat me, the broken me, the skinny me, and the happiest f***ing version of me I have ever been," VanZant said. "Social media will never be real but I’ll try and be better."

Paige even took a little jab at the haters ... thanking them for lining her pockets with money!

"I’ll be damned if I don’t continue to profit off of THE BEST HATERS IN THE WORLD. Yours in thickness - PVZ."

😂😂😂

She had a lot of fans backin' her up, including mixed martial artist Scorpio Sky who posted lyrics from Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now" song in the comments.

Royals pitcher Amir Garrett vomited all over the mound during a game on Monday night ... but thankfully, he said after losing his dinner on the field that he's now doing OK.

The 31-year-old was pitching in the seventh inning of Kansas City's blowout win over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium ... when he suddenly fell ill.

Video from the game's broadcast shows KC trainers raced out to check on the left-hander ... before he ultimately unloaded the contents of his stomach all over the diamond.

Garrett was then taken out of the game ... and escorted off the field.

He said after the game, though, that nothing serious was going on ... tweeting that he was "All good."

Garrett's certainly no stranger to unique moments like this at the ballpark ... you'll recall, last August, he threw a drink at a fan after he said the dude disrespected him. He later said he was sorry and sent the man some jerseys as an apology.

Prosecutors say former Bills punter Matt Araiza couldn't have participated in a gang rape at a party back in October 2021 because they believe he wasn't even at the home at the time of the alleged incident.

San Diego deputy district attorney Trisha Amador made the claim during a 100-minute meeting with the alleged victim last year, according to court documents obtained by Yahoo Sports.

In the docs -- which Yahoo Sports reported was a 200-page transcript of the sit-down with the girl -- Amador told the teenager that Araiza "wasn't even at the party anymore."

She added when talking about a timeline of the alleged events, according to the report, "All I know is that at that point, suspect Araiza is gone from the party."

Araiza -- a former punter for San Diego State University who was picked by Buffalo in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft -- was initially accused of the sexual misconduct in a lawsuit in August 2022, when a woman identified only as Jane Doe said the NFL player and two other men gang raped her at a Halloween-themed party at Araiza's San Diego home.

Doe, who said in the suit she was 17 years old at the time, alleged she and Araiza had sexual intercourse outside of the home ... before he led her to a room in the house where he and two of his SDSU teammates sexually assaulted her for over an hour.

But, according to Amador and the district attorney’s office, Araiza simply couldn't have participated in the alleged rape ... because their evidence showed he left the party at 12:30 AM -- an hour before the alleged incident occurred.

As we reported, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office initially announced in Dec. 2022 it would not file criminal charges against Araiza, saying, "There is no path to a potential criminal conviction."

22-year-old Araiza, who was cut by the Bills days after the girl's allegations were made public, had adamantly denied the claims from the start. He's remained an NFL free agent.

The marriage of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann may be over, but that doesn't mean they're ready to completely cut ties, not yet anyway ... we've learned they're still living under the same roof.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Kim and Kroy both continue to live in their Georgia mansion with their 4 young kids. It's the same home that went into foreclosure back in February. There's typically a grace period for homeowners to pay up and save the home. It's unclear where they are in that process.

It's also unclear how long they'll live there together, especially if things get nasty. Given they have 4 kids, they may want to cushion the blow of the divorce by staying in the same home ... at least in the short term.

As for what led Kim to file for divorce, we're told that's a mystery to everyone around the estranged couple, who thought all was good between the 'RHOA' star and Kroy.

In the divorce docs, Zolciak said the marriage was, "Irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation" ... but she didn't get more detailed.

Of course, the couple's recent financial struggles have been well documented. TMZ broke the story -- Kim and Kroy owe the IRS $1.1M in taxes, interest and penalties from 2013, 2017 and 2018 ... and also owe the state of Georgia $150,000 in unpaid taxes from 2018.

Kim Kardashian is showing some clear signs Tristan Thompson is back in good graces with the fam, and even potentially back with Khloe ... because she posted a pic of him looking as happy as can be after Monday night's Lakers win.

KK uploaded the snap of TT after Monday night's W against the Golden State Warriors -- with a big "YESSSSS GOOOOO LAKERS" plastered above his noggin. For the record, Tristan didn't get any time on the court, but it's a big team win nonetheless.

Worth noting, Kim appears to have taken the photo down as of Tuesday morning ... unclear why.

Regardless, Kim was super happy for Tristan and co., chilling courtside for yet another Lakers game. She was also there Saturday, and posted a pic of Tristan after that big win as well.

This time, she was with her mom Kris Jenner and Kris' boo Corey Gamble. A slew of other celebs were in the crowd -- Chris Pratt, Floyd Mayweather, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, and Judd Apatow.

"I think he's now 'Double C.' Maybe even just 'One C' now. Maybe he's just Henry. He's just Henry now. He's just Henry. I took his gold medal. I took his gold belt. I don't know, there's not much left."

That's 33-year-old UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who just defended his belt (for a record 3rd straight time) against future Hall of Famer Henry Cejudo ... joining Babcock on the TMZ Sports TV show on Monday (airs weekdays on FS1), and crowning Triple C with a new nickname.

Henry.

Of course, Cejudo's Triple C moniker derives from his propensity to win titles ... starting with his 2008 Olympic gold medal. A decade later Cejudo beat the legendary Demetrious Johnson for the UFC flyweight title, before defeating Marlon Moraes for the bantamweight strap in 2019.

Cejudo -- who many believe is in the MMA G.O.A.T. convo -- returned after a 3-year layoff ... and now that Aljamain beat an all-time legend, he's eager for fans to finally pay him the respect he deserves.

"'You're supposed to be the greatest of all time. So what happens when I beat you? What does that say about me?' So I need the fans to keep that same energy, the ones that were doubting me, and said I had no chance."

Aljo continued ... "He's a two-division champ and an Olympic gold medalist, and my wrestling 'sucks' compared to him. I'm like guys, I am now the Olympic champion. I beat the Olympian in a wrestling match. Four takedowns, baby. How many takedowns did he get?"

We also talked to Sterling about the judging ... which the champ believes was trash.

FYI, he officially won via split decision ... though Aljo thinks it should've been unanimous.

There's more ... Sterling also talked about his next scrap with rival, "Suga" Sean O'Malley.

Dana White indicated he wants that fight to happen on August 19 in Boston ... but Sterling says he has other ideas of when and where they'll settle the score.

As for Cejudo ... a parting shot from Aljo.

"I tip my hat off to Henry, but I think I did the universe a favor and finally ended the cringe."

College basketball coaching legend Bob Huggins stuck his foot firmly in his mouth during a radio appearance on Monday morning ... using a homophobic slur not once -- but twice -- on the show.

Huggins, who's been the men's basketball head coach at West Virginia since 2007, dropped the offensive remarks while talking with Bill Cunningham about Xavier on the radio personality's 700 WLW show in Cincinnati.

Bill brought up the NCAA transfer portal with Huggins -- and asked if he had "poached any Xavier guys to come to play for West Virginia?"

Huggins responded that "Catholics don't do that" -- before he added, "Any school that can throw rubber penises on the floor and then say they didn’t do it, by God they can get away with anything."

Huggins seemed to be referencing an incident that happened when he was coaching for the Cincinnati Bearcats against the Musketeers in a Crosstown Shootout rivalry game prior to his time at WVU.

"I think it was transgender night wasn’t it?" Cunningham said ... before Huggins responded, "No, what it was, was all those f**s. Those Catholic f**s I think."

"They were envious they didn't have one."

Huggins coached at UC from 1989 to 2005. He had a brief stint as Kansas State's head coach from 2006 to 2007 before he joined the Mountaineers. In his career, he's earned 934 wins -- the eighth-most all-time -- and made two Final Fours.

Last season, he helped lead WVU to the NCAA tournament but lost in the first round to Maryland.

West Virginia has yet to comment on the coach's interview. Xavier has not yet either.

Nikola Jokic's 53-point masterpiece Sunday night was somewhat overshadowed ... the Nuggets' superstar had a heated exchange with a "fan," who turned out to be Suns' owner Mat Ishbia.

Ishbia was sitting along the baseline for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals game between the Nuggets and Suns ... when things got testy in the second quarter.

Suns forward Josh Okogie was trying to gain possession of a loose ball when he flew into the area where Ishbia was sitting, prompting Mat to check on his player. The owner was holding the basketball.

Jokic sprinted over to Ishbia and tried to take it from his arms, but the Suns' owner wasn't giving it up, which clearly ticked Nikola off.

As Jokic tries to get the ball back from the 43-year-old billionaire, the two-time MVP nudges him with his left forearm, prompting an exaggerated flop from Ishbia, who fell backward in his seat.

Fortunately, officials quickly intervened and were able to separate everyone ... however, Nikola was slapped with a technical foul for "deliberately" making contact with Ishbia.

Ishbia reportedly told the Associated Press at halftime that he was more concerned with the outcome of the playoff game than the incident with Jokic.

"The fan put a hand on me first," Jokic told reporters after the game. "I thought the league is supposed to protect us. But maybe I'm wrong."

Meanwhile, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone supported his star player, saying he thought it was "crazy" Jokić got a technical foul for trying to get the ball from a fan, and added he doesn't "give a s***" the fan was the Suns' owner.

The NBA has yet to announce if they will discipline Jokić further with a fine or suspension, but with Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver and the series hanging in the balance, Nuggets fans are holding their collective breaths.

Antonio Brown may not have many friends left, but there's at least one person still standing by his side amid all the drama surrounding the former NFL star -- Michael Blackson.

The actor/comedian showed up to watch Brown's team, the Albany Empire, play the West Texas Warbirds in a National Arena League showdown this past weekend.

AB posted a photo of Blackson, who came dressed for the occasion, holding an Albany Empire sign, on social media, with the caption, "Family here."

MB was all smiles ... and he seemed to enjoy his time as AB's guest despite claims the Super Bowl champ has been destroying the team since he became owner.

We broke the story ... former Albany Empire coach Damon Ware and quarterback Sam Castronova both told us the experience has been a disaster.

Ware alleges Brown threatened him through text messages after an argument over paying the players ... a problem that has guys mulling sitting out games.

Meanwhile, Castronova told us the players were seemingly locked out of their hotel rooms after previously confronting team officials about not receiving payment for playing games.

Kim Zolciak is pulling the plug on her marriage, filing for divorce from Kroy Biermann on the heels of the couple's financial struggles.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star lists April 30 as the date of separation between her and the former NFL star ... the two were married for 11 years and had 4 kids together during that time.

Kim says she's filing because the marriage is "irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation." She's asking for primary physical custody of the kids and joint legal custody ... Kim also wants spousal support and to legally restore her maiden name.

TMZ broke the story ... Kim and Kroy owe $1.1 million to the IRS in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties from 2013, 2017, and 2018 ... and they also owe the state of Georgia $15,000 for unpaid taxes from 2018.

Remember ... Kim and Kroy's massive country club mansion in Alpharetta, GA -- which was heavily featured on multiple reality shows -- entered foreclosure in February ... though Kim's daughters, Brielle and Ariana, denied their home was heading to the auction block.

Kim and Kroy met at a charity event way back in May 2010, when he was playing with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Their relationship was featured on 'RHOA' and they tied the knot on Nov. 11, 2011, at their former estate in Roswell, GA.

Their four minor children ... 11-year-old Kroy Jagger, 10-year-old Kash Kade and 9-year-old twins Kaia Rose and Kane Ren. Kroy also adopted Kim's daughters, Brielle and Ariana -- they took his last name.

It's the second divorce for Kim, who was previously married to Daniel Toce from 2001 to 2003, and the first for Kroy.

It turns out you CAN see Angel Reese after all ... the LSU superstar just landed her next big gig -- the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition!!

The hooper has been on top of the world ever since she led the Tigers to a championship over Iowa in April ... largely in part thanks to her unapologetic John Cena "You Can't See Me" celebration right in Caitlin Clark's face.

Now that she's a household name, Reese has been getting a ton of NIL deals and other opportunities ... including officially becoming an S.I. model!!

The photo shoot is pretty fitting -- not only is Reese rocking an LSU purple bikini, but she's also pointing at her finger in one of the shots ... just like she did as the Tigers beat the Hawkeyes to secure the title.

"Despite her quick rise to fame, Angel has continued to stay unapologetically herself and allowed her confidence to always shine through, which is why we applaud her for the inspiration she has become both on and off the court," the publication said of the decision to include her in this year's issue, which hits shelves on May 18.

Reese isn't the only Tiger getting the honor -- gymnastics and social media star Olivia Dunne was also picked to pose for the mag.

Mark Zuckerberg's putting his martial arts training to good use -- the Facebook founder won gold and silver medals at a local jiu-jitsu tourney in Northern California ... his first time competing!

38-year-old Zuckerberg kicked ass at a tourney on Saturday in Redwood City, CA -- about 10 miles from Palo Alto -- where he put his new skills on display, competing in both Gi (jacket) and no Gi.

It's super impressive for a guy who has only been training for a short amount of time. In fact, Zuckerberg told Joe Rogan last year that he began practicing martial arts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite Mark winning most of his matches, the day wasn't without controversy. During one fight, Zuckerberg became visibly upset with a ref. It's unclear why Zuck was upset, but after a short, but rather heated convo with the official and his opponent, everyone shook hands.

But, all in all ... Zuck was awesome.

And, some of the biggest stars in MMA congratulated him on the medals ... with guys like Israel Adesanya, Brandon Moreno, and Alex Volkanovski heaping praise on the billionaire.

"Wow congrats 👏👏," Moreno, the UFC flyweight champ wrote.

Volk, the UFC featherweight champ commented ... "Legend! Love the shorts mate"

"When the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world gives you shorts, you wear them" ... Zuckerberg responded to Alex.

Somebody get a pinstriped onesie -- Derek and Hannah Jeter just welcomed their fourth child together ... and it's a boy!!

The couple shared the news on Monday ... announcing Kaius Green Jeter was born on May 5.

"Welcome to the world lil man!!!" the Yankees legend said on Instagram.

The new arrival comes as a surprise to pretty much everyone -- the two kept the whole thing a secret throughout the pregnancy, which the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model has done in the past.

Derek and Hannah -- who got engaged in 2015 and tied the knot a year later -- also have three other children together ... Bella (5), Story (4) and River (1).

It's an amazing time for the happy couple ... and we're sure Derek can't wait 'til Kaius gets old enough to play catch in the backyard.

Of course, the kid can be a quantum physicist if he wants ... but new Yankees shortstop coming in a couple decades?!?!