NBA

The ex-wife of slain NBA star Lorenzen Wright is locked up in Southern California ... after cops busted her in connection with his murder.

TMZ Sports got Sherra Wright's mug shot. The Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. busted her Friday evening on a fugitive warrant for murder -- which was issued in Tennessee. Memphis police have charged her with 1st degree murder and conspiracy.

Lorenzen -- who played 14 years in the NBA -- was murdered 7 years ago. His remains were found in the woods, 10 days after he was seen leaving Sherra's Tennessee home.

The case had gone cold until recently -- police found the murder weapon in a lake, and earlier this month arrested Billy Turner and charged him with 1st degree murder.

Police aren't saying yet what the alleged connection is between Turner and Lorenzen's ex-wife ... who is sitting in jail pending extradition to Tennessee. Reports say they went to the same church.

The man who accused Ray Allen of making violent threats against him after their alleged relationship went sour is backing off -- he's dropped his case against the NBA star, TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Bryant Coleman got a temporary restraining order against Allen in Florida after telling the court Ray sent men after him and made violent threats over the phone.

Coleman had previously told TMZ Sports he believed his life was in danger.

Ray had always maintained the allegations were B.S. -- and that Coleman is the real bad guy ... who catfished him in a scheme to get private information from the NBA star.

Now, we've obtained court documents which show Coleman has voluntarily dropped his restraining order -- though he doesn't explain why the change of heart.

Ray's attorney, David Markus, tells us, "We are pleased Coleman voluntarily dismissed the injunction and false claims he made against Ray Allen."

"Ray has never met Coleman. Ray Allen has never spoken with Coleman. Ray has never threatened him or anyone. He wants nothing to do with him and is looking forward to putting this matter behind him."

LeBron James might just be Nostradamus ... because he predicted Lonzo Ball would run from the wrath of a royal thunder dunk ... and in Thursday night's game, Ball did just that.

LBJ made the prognostication while visiting kids at the Cleveland Clinic (awesome guy) earlier this week when a brave young man named Andrew asked him to dunk on Lonzo.

"He might not be in my way! Once he sees I'm about to take off, he might move out the way."

Fast forward to the 2nd quarter of the Lakers vs. Cavs game on Thursday night -- 'Bron gets a pass from J.R. Smith and barrels towards the basket ... and this happens.

To be fair to Lonzo -- lets be real, he made a smart decision.

LeBron James' stats might end up beatin' Michael Jordan's ... but when it comes to the GOAT debate, Chauncey Billups says it ain't even close.

"I think Jordan’s the best, hands down," Billups told TMZ Sports out on Rodeo Drive. "There's nothing that LeBron can do -- and I’m a HUGE LeBron James fan."

FYI, Scottie Pippen reignited the Jordan vs. LeBron debate on Thursday ... when he said King James was "probably ahead" of Jordan on the stat sheet.

Chauncey says that's all good and well ... but when you're talking about who's the best player, numbers can only take LBJ so far.

"Can you dunk on Lonzo for me?"

That's the cutest and savagest Christmas wish we've ever heard ... courtesy of a brave kid that LeBron James visited at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday.

When Santa Bron stopped in to see Andrew, a young Cavs fan, and show him some love ... the kid only had one request -- that King James DUNK ALL OVER Lonzo Ball when the Lakers play Cleveland tonight.

Could LaVar Ball tear apart the family on "Inside the NBA"??

Probably not ... but Kenny Smith says his co-star, Charles Barkley, was WRONG when he blasted LaVar as a bad father who's exploiting his kids.

TMZ Sports spoke with "The Jet" (on his way onto a jet at LAX) ... and he told us why the Big Baller's move to ship his boys to Lithuania could actually be SMART.

Kenny's not the only ex-NBA star to back Ball -- Metta World Peace says LaVar is giving LiAngelo and LaMelo a significant edge over other talented American basketball players.

It's a beautiful sight for N.Y. Giants fans ... Odell Beckham Jr. makin' his way around the Big Apple without his walking boot!!

TMZ Sports spotted the NFL superstar heading into MSG for the Knicks vs. Lakers game Tuesday ... and although his boot was super swagged out, it's a great sign for his health to see him without it.

OBJ went down with a season-ending ankle injury in October ... but watching him sit courtside with Magic Johnson to cheer on the Knickerbockers sans boot should give fans hope.

Get well soon, OBJ!

Holly Robinson Peete declared a win for decency after accused pedophile Roy Moore was defeated in Alabama's special election -- and she's giving an NBA great an assist for the victory.

We got Holly at LAX Tuesday night and asked her about Democrat Doug Jones pulling off the stunning win and, for her, America was the real winner Tuesday night.

There were TONS of huge stars at the Knicks vs. Lakers game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday ... but, for some reason, everyone seemed to have their eyes on Bella Hadid.

So, we present two photo galleries ...

The Celebs (LaVar Ball, LiAngelo Ball, Odell Beckham, Spike Lee, Magic Johnson and more) -- and if you're not into that, we've also got 20 pics of Bella sitting courtside.

Think of it as a sports-themed "Choose Your Own Adventure."

Don't worry ... no one's judging you.

Charles Barkley is now a prime political commentator on CNN -- and after the election Tuesday night, he WENT OFF about how Alabama isn't just "rednecks" and "ignorant people."

Sir Chuck -- who's from Alabama (he played college ball at Auburn) -- had been campaigning hard for Doug Jones ... and after he took down Roy Moore last night, Barkley didn't hold back.

"You know, we've been stuck in a time warp for a long time," Charles said ... "This is just a great night for Alabama and for Doug Jones."

"Roy Moore was an embarrassment. Hey listen, if any other man had 8 women accusing him of sexual harassment ... talking about how he really enjoyed slavery ... he thinks people who are homosexuals should go to jail, they wouldn't have even been in this election."

Barkley says he's extremely proud of Alabama ... adding, "We got some amazing people here."

Metta World Peace thinks LaVar Ball's move to ship his kids to Lithuania is "extremely brilliant" -- telling TMZ Sports he's putting the boys in the BEST possible position to succeed.

And yeah, he'd dead serious.

Metta played in both China and Italy during his pro career -- and told us going overseas will help LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball develop their game faster than they would have in the U.S.

"If it wasn't for a lack of fundamentals in the AAU system, then yeah, I would say just stay here. But overseas, the coaches are way more advanced. They give you a bit more freedom to play."

Here's LaVar Ball talking about the biggest BBB news yet -- the move to Lithuania ... telling TMZ Sports he doesn't give a single DAMN about the language barrier.

LaVar was with LiAngelo and LaMelo -- the newest members of Prienu Vytautas -- and the Big Baller told us he's not worried about ANYTHING when it comes to shipping his sons to Lithuania.

"There's not gonna be a struggle at all," LaVar said.

DeAndre Jordan paid ex-Clippers teammate Matt Barnes the ultimate compliment just hours after his retirement ... saying he's one of the best dudes he's EVER shared a locker room with.

"That's one of the best teammates I've ever had," DeAndre told TMZ Sports on his way outta The Nice Guy in L.A.

DJ's hooped with some serious talents on the Clips -- Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Baron Davis, to name a few -- but it's clear he's got a special bond with Barnes ... his LAC bro for 3 seasons.

FYI, Matt hung up his sneakers in a social media post on Monday ... and even though he had a bad-boy rep, he's earned a TON of respect from DeAndre and other NBA stars through the years.

If anyone can tell us what it's gonna be like for LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball to play in Lithuania, it's NBA big man Jonas Valanciunas ... who's actually PLAYED in the league where the Balls are headed.

Valanciunas -- the 5th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft -- is a Lithuanian legend ... he won the LKL Lithuanian league championship in 2010 and is a 3-time Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year.

So, when we saw Jonas in Bev Hills on Monday (his Raptors are in town to play the Clippers) -- we had to ask if he thinks the Balls will thrive in his home country.

"Great fit in Lithuania," Jonas says ... "perfect country for those guys."

Jonas says people shouldn't be concerned for the Balls -- his country is safe and the food is great.

LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are breaking their silence about their new venture -- signing with a Lithuanian pro basketball team -- and they insist the money has nothing to do with it.

The Big Baller Brand tweeted photos Monday of LiAngelo and Lamelo signing contracts, saying "It's not about the money for the Ball Brothers."

BBB goes on to say ... "They have a passion to play Basketball and to experience playing as pros was the Goal. They have accomplished this mission and are excited to be playing on the same team to top it off. The Big Baller way!"

LiAngleo and LaMelo each signed a 1-year contract with a first division Lithuanian team. According to reports, they're not expected to make more than $500 a game.

LaVar has previously said the ultimate goal is getting the boys to the NBA ... and he's hoping Lithuania is the right path.

Big Baller Brand is going to Eastern Europe ... LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball have just signed 1-year contracts with a team in Lithuania.

LaVar Ball's 2nd and 3rd sons will play for Prienu Vytautas -- a pro team that competes in the Lithuanian LKL league.

Both Balls signed 1-year contracts, according to The Vertical ... and are expected to report to the team in early January. The Balls reportedly got multiple offers but felt this team was the right fit due to expected playing time and length of contract.

The team is reportedly based in a city of roughly 10,000 people.

Unclear how much cash the Balls will make -- but LaVar has previously said the longterm goal is to get both of his sons into the NBA with big bro Lonzo.

Before Lithuania, 19-year-old LiAngelo was on the UCLA basketball team -- but left the squad following the China shoplifting scandal. His 16-year-old bro LaMelo was a high school star -- but his father pulled him out of Chino Hills High School in favor of training him on his own.