Basketball

Drake is breathing a sigh of relief -- a BIG sigh of relief -- after his coronavirus test came back negative.

Drake took to Instagram with his pops, Dennis Graham, to deliver the news.  Drake was understandably overjoyed.

As we reported, Drake came in close contact with Kevin Durant, who has since tested positive for the virus.

Drake is on the list of asymptomatic celebs who somehow got the test, despite the fact that many have found it next to impossible to get one when they don't show symptoms, and often, even when they do.

The coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout the NBA -- the Philadelphia 76ers just announced 3 members of the organization have tested POSITIVE for COVID-19.

It's worth noting -- the team has NOT specified whether any players have tested positive -- but in a statement released on Thursday, the Sixers say, players, coaches and basketball operations employees within the organization have been tested ... and 3 came back positive.

Here's the team statement ... "The Philadelphia 76ers, in consultation with medical experts and the NBA, received the recommendation that certain individuals from the organization, including players, coaches and specific basketball operations support staff, be tested for COVID-19."

"The tests were secured and processed privately."

The statement continues ... "Three individuals have received positive test results for COVID-19. All other test results are currently negative. We have reported this information to state and local health authorities as required."

The Sixers say the 3 people who tested positive are practicing self-isolation and will work with experts to get better.

The news comes on the heels of the Denver Nuggets reporting a member of their org. tested positive for coronavirus ... as well as Kevin Durant, Detriot Pistons' Christian Woods, Utah Jazz stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell testing positive last week.

The BIG3 won't let a national emergency keep America from getting some 3-on-3 action ... 'cause Ice Cube's league is reportedly planning to host a QUARANTINED TOURNAMENT!!!

The plan, according to Yahoo! Sports, is to broadcast a "reality show-style" event starring 16 to 22 ex-NBA stars who have tested NEGATIVE for COVID-19 and agree to be quarantined in L.A.

The players selected to play will reportedly be placed in a huge house leading up to the competition ... and anyone who breaks quarantine will be eliminated from playing.

The players' lives will be documented 'Real World' style ... focusing on the drama and daily interactions among the BIG3 talent.

As for the tourney ... the league is planning a 7-round competition with players shuffling between teams ... and each player will be eliminated after 3 individual losses.

And, oh yeah ... there will be MILLIONS of dollars on the line.

BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz released a statement to Y!S ... saying, "As long as we can protect the players, which we will do through proper testing and quarantine, Ice Cube and I feel we can give fans some safe, entertaining brand of basketball to get everyone through this pandemic."

"Cube and I have been in the entertainment business for 30 years. This is our job. People want to be entertained with all we’re going through and enjoy our sports. We think this will help."

"Inside the NBA" star Kenny Smith is showering NBA Commish Adam Silver with praise for being the FIRST major sports official to suspend the season -- telling TMZ Sports it was a true leadership moment.

Of course, Smith is back in L.A. because with the NBA on ice, so is his show -- "We're on hiatus just like the NBA."

That's when Smith went on to talk about how lucky the NBA is to have a leader like Silver -- who made a tough decision before other major sports leagues.

"I think overall leadership is about having a direct derivative and I think he's had a direct derivative from the start," Smith said.

"He understands the culture that we're in. He understands the world that we live in from human rights to human pandemics. He's always been ahead of the curve. We trust what he says because it's always clear."

As for Kenny's co-worker Charles Barkley -- who's currently self-quarantined over coronavirus fears -- Smith says "he's fine right now."

Charles Barkley says he's in the middle of a self-quarantine after getting tested for the coronavirus ... this after admitting he hasn't been feeling well.

Sir Chuck called into TNT's "NBA On TNT" broadcast Thursday night and said he's in self-quarantine for 48 hours as he awaits test results on the coronavirus.

The NBA Hall of Famer said he's been feeling under the weather after traveling from New York City to Atlanta, and that's why he went for a coronavirus test.

Remember ... Charles was one of the first celebs publicly advocating for the cancelation of March Madness earlier this week due to the deadly pandemic. The powers that be eventually scrapped the big dance altogether after conferences started canceling their own tournaments.

Cavs star Kevin Love is stepping up to help the hundreds of arena staffers out of work during the NBA suspension ... donating a HUGE amount of money to support the hard workers in Cleveland.

Love shared his feelings about the league shutting down on Thursday ... saying his concern isn't about basketball, but the people who help make the game day experience possible.

"Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations," Love said in a statement. "And the fear and anxiety resulting from the recent outbreak of COVID-19 can be extremely overwhelming."

Of course, the Association decided to suspend the 2019-20 season Wednesday ... after Utah Jazz stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive for coronavirus.

"Through the game of basketball, we've been able to address major issues and stand together as a progressive league that cares about the players, the fans, and the communities where we work."

Love -- who is outspoken about mental health awareness -- says his foundation will write up a check for $100k to "support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the cancellation of the NBA season."

Along with the contribution ... the Cavs released a statement saying the team is currently working on finding a way to financially help the employees during the time off.

So much for your bracket ... March Madness is CANCELED.

The NCAA made the announcement moments ago -- saying they're pulling the plug on the biggest college basketball tournament of the year ... just days before it was set to tip off.

"This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities," the NCAA said in a statement.

Both the men's and women's tournaments are affected -- as well as every other Winter and Spring NCAA championship including the College Baseball World Series.

Not too shocking considering every other major sports organization is either canceling or postponing events ... from the NBA to the MLB, even NASCAR and pro tennis.

The announcement comes in the wake of influential stars like Charles Barkley putting pressure on the powers that be to cancel the tourney. Chuck said it's just too great of a health risk to the players ... even if they play in empty arenas.

27-year-old Utah Jazz superstar Rudy Gobert says he's "embarrassed" for acting so recklessly about coronavirus ... and he's apologizing "to the people that I may have endangered."

The NBA center is at the center of the health crisis after he tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Just days before his diagnosis, Gobert was clowning around about the issue with reporters, and jokingly rubbed his hands all over microphones and recorders.

Now, no one's laughing ... especially with Gobert's teammate, Donovan Mitchell, testing positive as well.

In fact, Jazz players griped about Gobert's behavior to ESPN -- accusing him of being careless.

Now, Gobert's breaking his silence after the positive test ... and it's clear he's remorseful for the whole ordeal.

"The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered," Gobert said.

"At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously."

"I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as a way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus."

Gobert thanked everyone who has reached out to him since the news broke ... and reaffirmed he will be okay.

"I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment."

NBA star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for COVID-19 -- AKA coronavirus -- just hours after his Utah Jazz teammate, Rudy Gobert, was diagnosed.

The 23-year-old All-Star has not publicly commented, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says players seem to be pointing the finger at Gobert not taking proper precautions.

"Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings," Woj says ... "Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive."

Media members are upset with Gobert also after he jokingly rubbed his hands all over mics and recorders while talking with reporters earlier this week (before he was formally diagnosed).

Of course, due to Gobert's health status ... Wednesday night's Jazz vs. Thunder game was postponed just minutes before tipoff and both teams were quarantined while the players were in the locker room.

The NBA has already suspended the season -- and there are rumblings play could resume in August ... but for now, league execs are trying to figure things out.

The coronavirus outbreak is wreaking havoc in the sports world -- several major events have been canceled or postponed ... including La Liga soccer games, ATP tennis tournaments and more.

As we previously reported, Charles Barkley is calling for the NCAA to cancel the March Madness tournament ... but so far, it's still scheduled to move forward.

"I think we're gonna have to shut down March Madness until we know more."

That's Charles Barkley saying -- in no uncertain terms -- the powers that be need to CANCEL the most famous basketball tournament in the world over the threat of coronavirus.

Sir Chuck called in to ESPN's "Get Up!" and made his case for cancellation -- despite the fact Barkley works for the companies who broadcast the tournament.

"I'm gonna say this and I'm probably gonna get in trouble because I work for Turner and March Madness and CBS ... Turner Sports and CBS need to close down March Madness, man."

Barkley explained ... "Even if there's no fans in the stadium, you can't have these players breathing on each other for 2 weeks, even if they stay at a hotel, they're going to be at different cities around the country."

"I hate to say it and I probably shouldn't say it because I work for CBS, but I think we're gonna have to shut down March Madness until we know more."

Barkley says he knows the players DO want to push forward and play, but Charles says it's bigger than that.

"I know these kids want to play. Think about it, these kids are sweating, breathing, leaning on each other ... that's crazy! Even if you lose, you go back home, you don't know if you've got the virus for a week or two."

So far, the NCAA has NOT canceled the tournament -- they've banned fans from attending games. But, the situation is fluid and can change at any moment ... especially after the NBA made the decision to suspend the regular season for the time being.

Fred Hoiberg does NOT have coronavirus ... Nebraska announced all he's got is a bad cold -- which is great news, considering the head coach looked awful on the team's bench Wednesday.

The scene was scary as hell at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis ... Hoiberg was clearly ill on the sideline of the Huskers' game against Indiana.

He was rubbing his forehead and looked to be in a pretty good amount of pain ... and with the hysteria caused by NBA star Rudy Gobert's positive coronavirus test earlier in the evening, Hoiberg was rushed to the hospital.

But, he and the Huskers got great news late Wednesday night ... with officials saying he tested negative for COVID-19.

"Hoiberg was diagnosed with influenza A (common cold)," the Huskers said in a statement. "He has since been released and has returned to the team hotel."

It's a huge sigh of relief for Nebraska ... its players were actually quarantined at the arena over fears Hoiberg had the dangerous virus.

Of course, it's unclear if there will be a season to return to for Hoiberg and the Huskers when they feel better ... the NBA has suspended its season and there's talk the NCAA could follow suit.

For now, NCAA president Mark Emmert says the plan is for March Madness to be played in fan-less arenas.

The NBA has just announced it's putting its season on hold ... this just minutes after one of its star players tested positive for coronavirus.

The league said in a statement Wednesday ... Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert had contracted COVID-19 -- and in response, it's pausing its season following the conclusion of Wednesday's slate of games.

"The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic," the league said.

The league had reportedly considered making the move earlier Wednesday ... debating whether to suspend the season or play its games without fans. Ultimately, no decision had been made prior to the tip-off of Wednesday's games.

The Golden State Warriors were set to play their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday in a fan-less arena. However, that game will now take place at a later date.

As for how the league is handling the Jazz and Thunder after it was announced Gobert had the virus ... ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says players from both sides are being quarantined at Oklahoma City's arena.

ESPN had a camera on Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban when he found out about the cancellation -- and it's obvious he was completely shocked by the news.