Los Angeles Sparks

If James Pearce Jr.'s case goes to trial, the alleged victim, Rickea Jackson, is down to take the stand, according to her attorney, who notified the court she's "willing to testify."

Jackson's lawyer filed notice on Tuesday, saying Jackson remains cooperative, and if needed, will give her testimony about the alleged incident with her ex-boyfriend, which led to his arrest on Saturday.

Rickea's attorney also indicated she hopes to put the matter behind her, sooner rather than later.

James Pearce Jr. "intentionally" hit an officer with his Lamborghini while evading law enforcement after an alleged domestic dispute with WNBA star Rickea Jackson, according to police docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Jackson told police she and Pearce Jr. recently ended a three-year relationship, saying she blocked the 23-year-old’s number to stop further contact, but it didn't work. Rickea told police James used an alternate phone to continue contacting her.

On February 7 -- as she was leaving an apartment complex -- Jackson noticed Pearce Jr.'s Lambo SUV behind her ... and attempted to get away. While at a red light, she says he approached her vehicle and attempted to open the door.

Could Cameron Brink be the next hooper to hop from the WNBA to Playboy?? It's entirely possible ... 'cause the L.A. Sparks star tells TMZ Sports she'd consider posing for the magazine ... but her fiancé has to be on board.

Pro baller Kysre Gondrezick paved the way -- she was announced as the publication's Miss June last year -- and ditched her clothes for a stunning photoshoot to fulfill her duties.

Now that Gondrezick became the first pro basketball player to be named a "Playmate," could there be a second??

If so, Brink would make sense -- she has experience in modeling and expressed interest in going nude for the now-defunct ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue" in the past.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve has had enough of the sex toy throwing trend at WNBA games ... telling reporters Thursday it's contributing to the sexualization of women that "has been going on for centuries."

Reeve made her opinion loud and clear following her scheduled media availability, saying anyone who continues to hurl the objects onto courts "should be held accountable."

"We're not the butt of the joke," she said, sternly. "They are the problem. And we need to take action."

It was a rough night all around for the Los Angeles Sparks ... not only did they lose to the Las Vegas Aces -- their mascot got wrecked by a performer doing some backflips!!

The moment went down during a break in the action at Crypto.com Arena. As Sparky was interacting with the crowd, one of the dancers was backflipping his way down the court when he made contact with the dog ... sending him down to the ground.

But he didn't let it keep him down long ... as he was back in the crowd shortly after -- rocking a band-aid on his noggin.

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.

The Los Angeles Sparks are hoping to calm Cameron Brink's nerves ... clarifying the details of their upcoming male practice player tryouts and vowing to put the guys who make the cut through a thorough background check.

A team spokesperson tells TMZ Sports the Sparks have used male practice squad players since the team's inception in 1997 ... and they're not alone.

Teams like the Phoenix Mercury and the Dallas Wings have hosted their own tryouts in the past, too ... and it's a practice used in women's college basketball as well.

Beyoncé has nearly 100 Grammy nominations ... and, she finally got the trophy for the evening's top prize -- winning Album of the Year, presented by some very special guests Sunday.

To present the final award of the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy brought out L.A. Firefighters including Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh ... along with an assembled crew of firefighters behind them.

In a short speech, Marrone shouts out all the firefighters who risked their lives to fight the devastating wildfires in L.A. last month ... adding the community will build back stronger together.

Cameron Brink's meet-and-greet with Hollywood's biggest names continues ... 'cause fresh off her run-in with Kim Kardashian, the L.A. Sparks star hung out with Shohei Ohtani at the Dodgers game!!

The 2024 No. 2 overall pick and her fellow rookie teammate, No. 4 pick Rickea Jackson, were VIP guests at Los Angeles' home matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday ... throwing out the first pitch and shouting the traditional "It's time for Dodger baseball" rally cry before the game.

Brink got some one-on-one time with the biggest name in baseball as well ... and when they met up, Ohtani couldn't help but acknowledge how they were on eye level.

Cameron Brink's Sparks career is just getting started, but she's already rubbing elbows with some of L.A.'s biggest names ... hanging out with Kim Kardashian and her daughter, North West, right after her first game -- and she came bearing gifts!!

The Los Angeles Sparks forward made her WNBA debut on Wednesday ... posting 11 points and four assists in the 92-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream.

Brink -- whose godbrother is NBA superstar Steph Curry -- and her teammates drew a star-studded crowd ... including Lakers legend and team owner Magic Johnson, who was sitting courtside.

Former Lakers point guard Derek Fisher is giving basketball coaching another shot ... but not in the pros or college -- he's going to high school!!

The five-time NBA champion is back to planning Xs and Os after getting hired by Crespi Carmelite High School, a boys prep school in the greater Los Angeles area, officials announced Monday.

The gig marks Fisher's first return to the bench after being fired by the Los Angeles Sparks in June 2022, and his third job overall.

Remember, Kobe Bryant's ex-teammate and buddy started out as the New York Knicks' head coach from 2014 to 2016 ... and was let go after recording a 40-96 record.

Derek took over as the Sparks' head coach role in December 2018, where he would also eventually become general manager.

The 48-year-old Laker is now taking over the Encino-based program, which previously developed NBA talents like guard De'Anthony Melton and forward Brandon Williams.

Fisher's Celts will play in the Mission League ... where they will face off against the likes of Sierra Canyon, where Bronny James, Marvin Bagley III and Brandon Boston Jr. suited up ... and Notre Dame, where LeBron James' second-eldest son, Bryce, is reportedly considering attending next year.

Jeff Bezos won't be the new owner of the Washington Commanders ... the Amazon founder reportedly won't bid on the NFL franchise despite months of interest, and a secretive meeting with Jay-Z.

According to Puck News, Bezos, whose net worth is $120 billion (according to Forbes), is no longer planning to buy Dan Snyder's team ... and barring something changing, JB won't be the team's new owner.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Bezos and Jay-Z met for a secret meeting in L.A. in November, where we're told they discussed a potential partnership.

Although it won't be Bezos, it's still possible D.C. will have a famous owner. As we previously reported, Magic Johnson is part of a group with 76ers owner Josh Harris and billionaire Mitchell Rales. They reportedly submitted a $6 billion bid to buy the team.

The Lakers Hall of Famer confirmed the news on an episode of "Today" ... saying he's excited the bid is in and hopes Snyder makes the right decision.

Magic is no stranger to owning a team ... the five-time NBA champion has a stake in the LA Dodgers, Sparks, and LAFC, the pro soccer team.

Derek Fisher is out ... the Los Angeles Sparks parted ways with the NBA champ, who served as the head coach and general manager, the team announced on Tuesday.

"On behalf of our ownership group, I want to thank Derek for his efforts and contributions to the Sparks franchise," team exec Eric Holoman said.

"We wish him the best moving forward. I have full confidence in Fred Williams to step into the role of interim head coach, bringing a wealth of experience leading WNBA teams."

In 3 seasons with the Sparks, Fisher led the org. to a 49-39 record in the regular season ... going 1-4 in the postseason.

But, this season got off to a rough start for the 47-year-old, who was relieved of his duties after starting 5-7 with the Sparks this year.

"I want to thank the LA Sparks organization, ownership, staff, players, and fans for the opportunity they have afforded me over the last four years as a part of this historic franchise," Fisher said.

"Their support has allowed me to grow as both a coach and front office executive and I am proud of what we have accomplished."

Anyone have a staple remover??

The iconic Staples Center signage is officially coming down on Monday ... with workers slowly removing the red letters off of the building to make way for Crypto.com Arena.

As we previously reported, the cryptocurrency company bought the naming rights to the venue last month ... which came with a whopping $700 MILLION price tag.

While the name change won't officially happen until Christmas Day, AEG wasted no time kick-starting the rebrand ... which will undoubtedly have some fans upset.

Of course, Staples Center was often referred to as "The House That Kobe Built," as a nod to the late Lakers legend, who played at the venue for the majority of his Hall of Fame career.

No matter what people officially call the arena, Vanessa Bryant made it clear all the history that Kobe made inside will always live on.

Staples Center is no more ... the iconic building that the Lakers and Clippers have called home since 1999 is getting a new name -- Crypto.com Arena.

Officials announced the stunning name change Tuesday night ... explaining the rebrand will take effect on Christmas Day next month.

The new name will stick for the next 20 years as part of the new agreement, officials say ... and the new deal will all reportedly cost the cryptocurrency app around $700 MILLION.

Of course, the announcement was hardly met with joy from L.A. fans -- as the building has only been known as Staples Center for YEARS to Kings, Sparks, Lakers and Clippers fans.

Still, officials were pumped over the move nonetheless ... sending out a mock of how the new signage will look on the top of the building in 2022.

In the announcement of the new deal, officials also promised "large-scale, premium branding and signage throughout the interior and exterior" of the new Crypto.com Arena.