Basketball

Dick Vitale is taking WNBA players to task for snubbing Caitlin Clark on their All-Star Game ballots ... ripping their voting as nothing more than "PURE JEALOUSY."

It was revealed on Monday that Clark was named just the ninth-best guard when it came to the players' ASG vote ... and it didn't take long for Dickie V to go off on the league for the results.

"Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY," he wrote on his X page. "Some day they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Charted planes - increase in salaries-sold out crowds - improved TV Ratings."

Cameron Brink has no problem strutting her stuff in the buff ... opening up on her experience going "fully naked" for a recent photo shoot -- saying she wasn't sweating it one bit!!

The Los Angeles Sparks forward talked about her time in front of the cameras for the "PLAYERS" publication with her mom, Michelle, and teammate Dearica Hamby on the latest episode of her "Straight To Cam" podcast ... and she gushed over the artistry involved in the collab.

On the cover, the 23-year-old rocked a black suit with a grey shirt and black pants ... with her upper half opened up to expose her chest.

EA Sports ... It's (Back) In the Game!

Electronic Arts revealed big news Monday morning, announcing the return of another fan favorite, their college hoops game, EA College Basketball!

"Bring the Madness. Let's run it back," the company wrote in an X post.

It's been 16 years since EA Sports last put out the last college basketball game, which featured then-Oklahoma Sooners star Blake Griffin on the cover in 2009.

Malik Beasley is the subject of a federal investigation related to gambling on NBA games and prop bets ... this according to ESPN.

The nine-year NBA veteran is facing allegations connected to the 2023-2024 season ... when he played in 79 games for the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to the outlet -- citing an anonymous source -- at least one major sportsbook detected unusual betting interest in Beasley's stats starting in January 2024.

Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend, Jade Jones, might need some earplugs ASAP ... 'cause the NBA superstar invested in a bell to help him out amid his Achilles recovery -- and he's already putting it to use!!

Jones shared the video on her Instagram on Friday ... showcasing the Pacers guard chilling on his knee scooter as he rings for her assistance.

"This guy did not order a bell guys please😩," she wrote.

Cooper Flagg had a subtle, yet hilarious, reaction to Luka Doncic's name getting dropped during his presser with the Mavericks ... appearing to side-eye Nico Harrison -- the guy who shipped the face of the franchise out of town.

The former Duke Blue Devil was officially introduced on Friday ... just days after Dallas selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The 18-year-old received a series of questions from the media ... including one from ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who asked Flagg how it felt to be the potential face of the franchise, a role many once expected Luka to fill before "plans changed."

While Oklahoma City's on-the-court game is unrivaled, its ability to celebrate sure needs work ... but Alex Caruso assured TMZ Sports this week "the next time" his Thunder squad is in position for some champagne showers, it won't have another letdown.

If you missed it, following OKC's Game 7 NBA Finals victory on Sunday night, the notably young Thunder couldn't quite figure out how to properly douse themselves in bubbly ... and needed a big-time assist from 31-year-old Caruso to even open the bottles.

The OKC guard acknowledged to us on Thursday, "it was not a great showing" -- but he was sure it won't happen again.

Congratulations are in order for LiAngelo Ball and Rashida Nicole -- the hooper and rapper's partner announced she is pregnant with the couple's first child together!!

The 33-year-old shared the news with a series of photos on her Instagram ... saying she is "grateful, terrified, anxious, nauseous [and] HANGRY."

"As a teen mom, I was always hesitant about going thru pregnancy and parenthood again. (Iykyk) I want to thank my daughter for being here for me during this process, always demonstrating unconditional LOVE & reassuring me that, "Everything is alright!"

Dwight Howard is mourning the loss of his beloved dog, Sunday ... saying his companion was tragically killed in an alleged hit-and-run over the weekend.

The NBA center shared the sad news with his Instagram followers on Wednesday, posting several photos and videos of the good times with his Belgian Malinois.

Howard -- now playing in the BIG3 league after 18 NBA seasons -- said Sunday lost her life on June 18 in Suwanee, Georgia, after she was allegedly struck by a car that didn't stop.

Ace Bailey reportedly wanted NOTHING to do with the Utah Jazz prior to Wednesday night's draft ... so how did he feel about the organization taking him with the fifth pick??

Well, if you believe the former Rutgers star ... he's calling it a "blessing" nonetheless.

Bailey met with the media after he walked the stage at Barclays Center ... and all things considered, he appeared to be in great spirits.

V.J. Edgecombe couldn't hold back the tears after the Sixers drafted him with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft ... crying on live TV as he thanked his mom for all her sacrifices -- and it was super sweet!

The star Bahamian athlete walked up on the Barclays Center's stage on Wednesday and shook commish Adam Silver's hand after Philadelphia pulled the trigger on the 6'5" guard.

Edgecombe's mom started the waterworks ... as she witnessed her son's dreams come true -- a moment that deeply moved V.J. during his post-draft interview with Taylor Rooks.

It was the biggest night of Dylan Harper's life on Wednesday ... and the same can be said for his mom, Maria, who wound up being the most viral moment of the NBA Draft!!

The 19-year-old Rutgers star didn't have to wait long to have his name called at Barclays Center -- once Cooper Flagg went to the Dallas Mavericks, Harper was right behind as the San Antonio Spurs' No. 2 selection.

After Harper walked the stage, ESPN got a brief interview with most of his family ... and Maria -- who has two kids with ex-NBA player Ron Harper -- immediately took social media by storm.

It's been a foregone conclusion for months, but the Mavericks made it official tonight ... selecting Duke University star Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft!

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Dallas' selection from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY ... shocking absolutely nobody, as nearly everyone viewed the 18-year-old as the consensus top pick.

And, as if going first isn't enough pressure by itself ... Flagg will be expected to fill the shoes of Luka Doncic, after the former Mavs superstar was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in February.

The 2025 NBA Draft is here ... and this year's prospects made sure to arrive in style -- from diamonds to designer shades and shirtless looks!!

Let's start with Jeremiah Fears -- the former Oklahoma guard wore a maroon Gucci suit and iced-out "0" chain from AI the Jeweler of Labelle Jewelry in Totowa, NJ ... a centerpiece made of 30 carats of VS baguette diamonds.

Colorado State's Dominique Clifford had a colorful look ... going with a faded purple and pink blazer, while Georgetown's Thomas Sorber used the inside of his jacket to highlight his career moments.

Cooper Flagg is reaping the benefits of being the (super likely) No. 1 overall pick -- the former Duke star is BOSS' newest ambassador ... and is commemorating the deal by repping the brand at the NBA Draft!!

All eyes will be on Flagg at the Barclays Center on Wednesday ... with his name expected to be called when the Dallas Mavericks submit their selection in a matter of hours.

TMZ Sports has learned Flagg -- the National College Player of the Year -- chose to keep it slick and smooth with an Italian three-piece stretch wool suit by BOSS, along with a slim-fit shirt and Italian-made silk jacquard tie.

Alijah Arenas is speaking out publicly for the first time about his serious car crash ... claiming the accident was caused by the Tesla Cybertruck's steering wheel getting stuck.

Arenas -- who committed to USC in January -- spoke about the crash at a press conference on Tuesday ... saying he was leaving a shooting session at the DSTRKT gym in Chatsworth, California, when the luxury vehicle malfunctioned.

"The wheel wasn't moving as easy as it should, and me noticing the keypad wasn't on, it was kinda just like weirding me out," Arenas said.