NCAA

Master P says his HS hoops star son, Hercy, is already getting looks from big-time Division 1 schools ... but tells TMZ Sports he wants the biggest name in college hoops to hit him up.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski!!!

Of course, Hercy's Minnehaha Academy just beat up on Zaire Wade and Bronny James' Sierra Canyon squad 78-58 in front of 17,000 fans on Saturday ... and the Junior contributed 9 points and 12 assists.

The game was nationally televised ... and after the exposure, P expects his son to get looks from huge programs -- and it's already happening!!!

"Arizona ... it's so many," Miller says. "Hopefully this summer they'll be on the radar."

P is clearly stoked for his son's progress as a sophomore in high school ... and hopes the biggest schools in the nation come knocking on his door.

Not only is Hercy a hooper, P tells us he's an A student as well!!

Miller also shouts out Hercy's teammate and top 10 recruit, Jalen Suggs, who just committed to Gonzaga ... saying the dude is already an NBA talent.

Fun fact ... Hercy and Suggs played together on the same AAU team in 5th grade ... and you know who the coach was???

Master P.

Call this the Giants' 13th loss this season ... the Carolina Panthers just hired Big Blue's reported top candidate, Matt Rhule, to be their next head coach.

Rhule -- Baylor's head man since 2016 -- had been rumored to be the Giants' top choice since they canned Pat Shurmur last week.

It made sense ... the 44-year-old was born in NYC, and was previously an assistant O-line coach for the Giants in 2012 and was seen as a guy who could make an offense with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley hum.

In fact, the G-men and all of their top brass were reportedly set to have a massive meeting with the guy Tuesday.

But, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Panthers owner David Tepper spent the entire day with Rhule in Waco, Texas on Monday and clearly made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

It's a bummer for the Giants, whose candidate list is slowly shrinking after Ron Rivera (Redskins), Mike McCarthy (Cowboys) and Rhule all went elsewhere.

NY is still in the mix for NFL assistant coaches like Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy, Patriots' Josh McDaniels and Ravens' Don Martindale. The team could also take a look at fired Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.

As for the Panthers ... it seems they're more than happy with their new hire -- Rhule famously turned Baylor from a 1-11 team in 2017 to 11-3 in 2019.

It's official ... Alabama superstar Tua Tagovailoa is goin' pro.

The 21-year-old Crimson Tide QB gave an emotional news conference on Monday ... officially ending his college career.

“I’ve had a difficult time making this decision about my future," Tua said. "My love for the University of Alabama, our coaches, our fans and my teammates has made this especially hard for me."

"I have had the advice and consult of my parents, my family and coaches and gone through a thorough analysis of the alternatives. With lots of prayers, thoughts and guidance I have decided that I will be entering the 2020 NFL draft,”

Tua was an absolute stud on the field ... famously filling in for Jalen Hurts mid-game to lead the Tide to a national championship in 2018.

He went on to lead the Tide under center for 2 seasons ... and was a Heisman runner-up in 2018.

Tagovailoa was putting up a Heisman-esque season in 2019 before going down with a devastating hip injury against Mississippi State.

There was speculation Tua would return to school while rehabbing his injury ... but he's put an end to all the rumors with the announcement on Monday.

Tua finished his collegiate career with 87 passing touchdowns, 7,442 passing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.

Head coach Nick Saban had high praise for his former player, saying "Tua has had as much of an impact on our program as any player we've had. He has great character, he's a great leader, he has done a great job in the classroom."

#45 just can't get enough of Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence ... 'cause President Donald Trump will be checking out the big College Football Playoff championship game!!!

POTUS -- who witnessed Burrow's Heisman campaign firsthand during the LSU and Alabama game this season -- is expected to hit up the huge match-up between the 2 undefeated teams, according to The New Orleans Advocate.

We know what you're thinking ... and yeah, we're assuming security will be SUPER TIGHT considering the recent developments with Iran. Hell, it better be.

As for the game, it's gonna be AWESOME -- with both #1 LSU and #3 Clemson entering the Jan 13th game undefeated.

Trump has kept a close eye on LSU so far in the CFP ... with Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron saying he got a personal call from the president after trampling all over Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl.

"I was very honored to get a call from President Trump," Coach O told reporters.

"He was very pleasant to talk to. Very complimentary of our football team, our coaching staff. Complimentary of the way the state of Louisiana has rallied around us. Was complimentary of the way we played all year and wished us good luck in the game."

Burrow also previously talked about what it's like to play in front of the Prez ... saying, "Doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican, President at the game is pretty cool."

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young -- one of the top college football players in 2019 -- has officially declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Of course, back in December, the superstar told TMZ Sports "the plan" was to return to Ohio State for his senior year.

Hey, like we said at the time ... plans change. We get it. Go be a millionaire!!

After our clip about his future intentions made headlines, Young clarified his comments, saying, "That moment was just a real spontaneous moment, caught me off-guard,"

Now, the 20-year-old made his next move official in an announcement on Twitter Friday ... saying, "After an amazing three years at Ohio State, it's time for me to begin the next chapter."

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped me make it to this point. I give thanks and praise to God for blessing me with the ability to play football and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself."

Despite missing a few games due to suspension in 2019, Young was a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the country with 16.5 sacks. He is projected to be the 2nd overall pick to the Washington Redskins in the draft in April.

The Oregon Ducks were smellin' roses -- AND cigar smoke -- after the team's huge 1-point win over Wisconsin on Wednesday ... whippin' out the stogies for an epic locker room celly!!

Justin Herbert and co. partied like crazy after the 28-27 Rose Bowl thriller ... and some of the guys came prepared with some fine cigars.

Players like Dru Mathis and Samuelu Poutasi captured the awesome moment after the game ... when their teammates took glorious puffs that would make Rick Ross jealous.

As for the game, Herbert led the way with 3 TDs and looked like a damn stud. So, yeah, he deserves to celebrate.

Worth noting -- some of the dudes on this team aren't 21, so they better enjoy the stogies while they can before that new Tobacco 21 law goes into effect later this year!!

"Look at Urban Meyer. He was going to spend time with his family, went to this game instead."

That's a comment an ESPN anchor made on-air during a highlight package of Ohio State's game against Clemson on Saturday ... and it had Urban Meyer's wife FURIOUS!!!

Of course, Meyer said he was stepping down from OSU's head coaching role last season to spend more time with his fam after health issues ... but when he was spotted on the Buckeyes' sideline during their huge Fiesta Bowl game over the weekend, it raised some eyebrows.

So much so, "SportsCenter" host John Anderson made a flippant joke about it all ... and Meyer's family quickly rushed to blast the network for the remark.

"I am DEEPLY offended by this off-hand rude/ignorant comment by someone who knows NOTHING about our family," Urban's wife, Shelley, said.

"We were ALL together this bowl trip-urbans job was limited to a couple hours the 26th/27th and more on the 28th (not that it’s anyone’s biz)-still WAY less than coaching."

Meyer's oldest daughter, Nicki -- whose husband is an assistant on OSU's staff -- also blasted Anderson and ESPN ... saying Urban's trip to the Fiesta Bowl WAS a family function

"How is this type of commentary even acceptable? The entire family including grandkids went to support my husband and the buckeyes. We had the best week in AZ," Nicki said.

"@ESPN have some class. This is bad. I’d @ this guy but don’t know who it is. Pass it along friends."

Joe Burrow says he's absolutely floored by the nearly $500,000 worth of donations to his hometown food bank ... but tells TMZ Sports he's already thinking of other ways to help.

23-year-old Burrow delivered a powerful speech after winning the Heisman Trophy on Saturday ... bringing national attention to some very serious issues.

“Coming from Southeast Ohio it’s a very impoverished area and the poverty rate is almost two times the national average," Burrow said.

"There’s so many people there that don’t have a lot and I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here too."

America was so inspired by Joe's words ... thousands of people donated more than $458k to the Athens County Food Pantry.

Fresh off winning the most desired award in college football, Burrow joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ... where he says he was shocked his words kick-started a half-million-dollar campaign.

"It's been crazy. I didn't expect that at all," Burrow said. "I was just speaking from the heart and just trying to bring attention to an area that kinda gets lost in the mud."

James Wiseman's NCAA career is officially over ... the Memphis superstar has left the school and will prepare for the NBA Draft.

It shouldn't come as a surprise considering the 18-year-old has been in a complicated battle with the NCAA when he was suspended earlier this season.

7'1" Wiseman was punished after the organization determined his family accepted $11,500 from now-coach Penny Hardaway in 2017.

FYI -- Hardaway was considered a Memphis booster due to a million-dollar donation he made to the school years before taking the coaching gig.

Wiseman was slapped with a 12-game suspension and was ordered to donate $11,500 back to charity in order to return to the court ... but has ultimately decided to leave school altogether and focus on his future.

Reporter Shams Charania broke the news ... saying Wiseman will hire an agent and prepare for the 2020 Draft. He's projected to be a Top-3 pick.

Wiseman addressed the suspension shortly after it was upheld, saying, "Sometimes bad things happen to good people. God has never left me nor forsaken me throughout this process!"

"God knows my destiny and I feel that even though hardships may be upon me! It too shall pass in the Grace of God. My journey isn’t finished, and this too shall pass."

Joe Burrow's emotional tribute to his hometown during his Heisman acceptance speech has kick-started a national campaign to help out ... with over $115k raised for the local food pantry.

The LSU superstar brought awareness to the financial challenges surrounding Athens County, OH while tearing up on Saturday ... saying, “Coming from southeast Ohio it’s a very impoverished area and the poverty rate is almost two times the national average."

"There’s so many people there that don’t have a lot and I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County that go home to not a lot of food on the table, hungry after school. You guys can be up here too."

One Athens man was so moved by Burrow's message, he started a fundraiser to help put food on the tables for people in Athens.

"Let's answer Joey's call to action by supporting a local nonprofit that serves food to more than 5,000 households in Athens County each year," Will Drabold said in the post.

Of course, Burrow is beloved in his hometown ... and was an absolute beast for the Athens Bulldogs before becoming the best college player in the country.

The campaign started on Sunday ... and it's already raised a whopping $116,000 for the Athens County Food Pantry.

Props to all involved.

Also -- if you haven't watched all of Burrow's acceptance speech, the whole thing is amazing. Check it out.

Shareef O'Neal is giving an inside look of how far he's come since his serious heart surgery a year ago ... sharing behind-the-scenes videos on the anniversary of his procedure.

As we previously reported ... UCLA doctors found an irregularity with the 19-year-old's heart and he was required to go under the knife to fix the issue.

At the time, Shareef credited the docs with saving his life.

O'Neal is reflecting on his journey one year later ... sharing pics of his parents Shaq and Shaunie helping him walk for the first time post-surgery, and breaking down how he felt in that moment.

"a year ago today i was scared for my life," Shareef says. "a year ago today I was learning how to walk again . A year ago today I was turned into a new kid . A year ago today my life changed."

"I thought I was going through hell while dealing with this process but then i realized it was a blessing that it was found."

"I am very grateful for my health today and I will always be."

Shareef was sidelined for his entire first season ... but has since been able to return to the court to play for the Bruins. He's played in 10 games this season.

"I want to thank my family and friends for everything they did also .. this year has been a big struggle and I’m still finding my way back into things.."

Illinois hoops star Kofi Cockburn was TRYING to celebrate after hitting a crucial shot Wednesday -- but accidentally clocked the ref in the face instead with a BRUTAL elbow.

In fact, the ref immediately dropped to his knees -- and was HOSPITALIZED for further treatment.

Cockburn -- 7'0", 290 lbs -- had just hit a put-back floater (and got the foul) in the 2nd half against Michigan ... and tried to celebrate with a big Tiger Woods-styled fist pump.

But, ref Lewis Garrison accidentally got in the way ... and took a BIG elbow right to the face.

Garrison dropped to his knees and had to be helped off the floor ... and after trainers checked him out at the stadium, he reportedly went to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Thankfully, doesn't seem Garrison's injuries are too serious ... it's reported the trip to the emergency room was for precautionary reasons -- but still, scary stuff!!

As for the game, Cockburn ended up leading Illinois to a huge 71-62 win over the Wolverines -- a massive upset.

NCAA Div. 2 basketball player Isaiah Hill has been suspended indefinitely after he LEVELED his opponent with a violent cheap shot elbow to the face ... and the video will piss you off.

The disgusting play went down when Hill's Saint Leo University team faced off with Nova Southeastern in Florida on Saturday ... when Hill cut to the perimeter and cracked Nick Smith with a nasty elbow.

Smith fell right to the floor ... and somehow, the ref standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT did not call Hill for a foul.

Video of the play -- captured by Post-Gazette reporter Mike White -- has gone viral ... and Saint Leo has since punished its player for at least the remainder of the 2019 calendar year.

"Isaiah's conduct on the court is not an accurate representation of Saint Leo's core values," the school's athletic director said in a statement.

"Saint Leo University holds its students to high standards of moral and ethical conduct as a reflection of Benedictine values."

"Upon review of Isaiah's actions this past Saturday, he will not represent Saint Leo University in competition for the remainder of 2019."

We're told cops were present at the game, but it's unclear if Smith plans to pursue criminal charges. We're told the Pasco Sheriff's Office has not received a formal complaint.

Chris Webber says he hasn't been back to the Crisler Center at the Univ. of Michigan in 26 YEARS -- but he's finally down to bury the hatchet ... thanks to Juwan Howard.

Webber was a key member of the legendary Fab Five team in '92 and '93 ... but got caught up in a college booster scandal and in 2003, he was hit with a 10-year ban prohibiting him from associating with the school in any capacity.

The ban expired in 2013 ... but Webber has still had NO relationship with the basketball program ever since (though he did attend a football game in 2018).

"I haven't been back because they banned me from the place," Webber says ... "When they did a 10-year ban, said I couldn't come to the campus, well then, okay I'm not gonna come."

But, now that his good buddy and ex-Fab Five teammate Juwan Howard has taken over the hoops program for the Wolverines, Webber tells TMZ Sports he's seriously considering rekindling his relationship with Michigan Basketball.

"Howard is my friend ... and therefore, I put pride aside," Webber said.

"I told Juwon I'd love to come to a practice and he's definitely extended an opportunity. So, I'm pumped about it when it happens."

"I haven't been back to Crisler Arena since the day I left when I was 20 years old going to the NBA. And, so, he knows that's a special moment for me. So, yeah I would love that."

Webber says he wants his return to be private -- "No fanfare, without people around so I can just go around a reminisce and have a good time as well."

Chris Webber is going to bat for Jim Harbaugh ... telling TMZ Sports Michigan should NOT fire the head coach -- this despite his FIFTH STRAIGHT loss to Ohio State on Saturday.

"To throw the baby out with the bathwater or to blow it up just because of that really doesn't make sense," Webber says.

Don't get it twisted ... the Fab Five legend is still pretty pissed over the Wolverines' L -- but he says Harbaugh should get more chances to try to turn the tide.

In fact, C-Webb even offered up a little pump-up speech for Jim ... saying, "Just keep going and figuring it out!"

The biggest reason Webber wants to see Harbaugh stick around? Chris tells us Jim's squads are actually pretty damn good -- and says it'll all come together for a championship, eventually.

As for if Webber will get his wish of Harbaugh staying ... it seems pretty likely -- 'cause despite the Ohio State losing skid, the dude is still 47-17 in five years in Ann Arbor.

Forget the Heisman Trophy ... get Ole Miss QB John Rhys Plumlee a Grammy -- 'cause the dude can SAAAAAAAAAANNNGGG!!!

Here's video of the Rebels star at the 2019 C Spire Conerly Award ceremony Tuesday in Mississippi ... taking ALL of the shine away from the other award finalists.

It's unclear why JRP stepped up to the piano ... but we're all sure as hell glad he did -- 'cause the 18-year-old tickled the keys and belted out "Drops Of Jupiter."

And, yeah, we're all swooning!!!

As for what went down after Plumlee's impromptu concert ... the freshman didn't end up winning the coveted honor that goes to the best college football player in Mississippi (Miss. State's Kylin Hill did).

But , JRP sure gained a bunch of new fans anyway!!!

By the way, if you haven't heard of Plumlee ... you should get to know the guy -- he's got SUPERSTAR potential, rushing for 1,023 yards and throwing for 910 more in just 9 games this season.