Sports

Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," he added. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

Brandon Clarke's death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at on Monday, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, Clarke was declared deceased, first reported by NBC4.

An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death.

The NBA is devastated by Brandon Clarke's death ... with the Memphis Grizzlies player's teammates over the years sharing heartfelt tributes on social media.

Kyle Anderson, who had two stints with the Grizzlies, said he was "so f***in hurt" by the loss ... adding, "I love u so much brother i wish i coulda been there for u im so f***in hurt man."

Ja Morant published a picture of them together with a caption that read, "love you broski. gone way too soon. it's bigger than basketball."

"still our goat BC15."

Brandon Clarke was seemingly happy and healthy in the days leading up to his tragic death at just 29 years old, his barber tells TMZ Sports.

Clarke, who passed away Monday night in the Los Angeles area, had been staying in the city with one of his friends from college ... and Brandon seemed to be enjoying the offseason.

In fact, we talked to the guy who cut Brandon's hair on Friday, and he says the hooper seemed perfectly content during the appointment.

The barber says the guys even watched the NBA Playoffs during the haircut, tuning in to the Spurs vs. Timberwolves game.

TMZ Sports broke the story on Tuesday ... Clarke passed away early Monday evening, leaving the sports world stunned.

Everyone from Brandon's teammates to the Grizzlies, and even the NBA expressed condolences over the horrible news.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit," commish Adam Silver said.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

Prosecutors will get the chance to see Tiger Woods' prescription drug records, a judge has ruled.

In a hearing at Martin County Circuit Court in Florida on Tuesday, the judge granted the state's request to subpoena records of Tiger's meds as part of their DUI investigation.

The judge gave prosecutors permission to access his prescription records on file at Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach ... following his arrest in Florida earlier this year.

Hilary Duff's "luck ... or something" isn't running out anytime soon -- the former Disney star is now a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model!!

The publication shared the big news on Tuesday ... making the announcement alongside some jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes shots of the actress/singer showing off her beach bod as she posed for the camera.

Duff was in South Caicos for her shoot ... with Kat Irlin snapping the shots.

Luka Doncic just revealed his fight for his daughters has forced him to back out of playing for his national team this summer ... explaining his kids "will always come first in my life" as he seeks joint custody.

Doncic -- who missed the Lakers' entire playoff run with a hamstring injury -- dropped the statement after L.A.'s season came to an end at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday ... saying his focus is on his family this offseason, and he loves his little ones "more than anything."

"As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer," Doncic said. "Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months."

Hulk Hogan's former accountant is facing a slew of federal charges for allegedly stealing more than $890,000 from a "public figure" in Florida, TMZ Sports has learned.

The wrestling legend is not identified as the victim.

Melissia Gauthreaux has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, after the feds say she used her business, Accounting Resources and Management Services, to embezzle enormous amounts of money between 2017 and 2021.

Fernando Mendoza might've missed Indiana's trip to the White House on Monday ... but it wasn't a political decision -- 'cause President Trump claims the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback is a huuuge fan.

The Hoosiers visited 1600 Penn to celebrate their 2026 national championship victory over the Miami Hurricanes ... and Nos. 45-47 made sure to acknowledge the Heisman winner despite his absence.

Trump said Mendoza called him to let him know he wasn't going to be there due to his NFL schedule ... and if it was for any other reason (like if the QB hated him), he wouldn't even mention his name.

Former NBA player Desmond Mason is behind bars in Oklahoma after being arrested for a felony warrant out of Texas last week.

According to the local police department, Mason was picked up in Bricktown on Thursday ... but was taken to a local hospital for treatment due to a medical issue before being booked.

Mason is still in the Oklahoma County Detention Center as of Monday ... and is being held on "flight to avoid," which is used for someone crossing borders to dodge prosecution, News 9 reports.

The Spurs won't have to play game 5 of the conference semifinals without Victor Wembanyama ... the NBA superstar has avoided further punishment after being ejected Sunday night for blasting Naz Reid in the face with an elbow.

Not only will the 22-year-old phenom not be suspended for the pivotal upcoming game, but he won't even be fined for the controversial play, according to Shams Charania.

Of course, Wemby was tossed for the first time in his NBA career during the game 4 loss ... swinging his elbow, and hitting Reid in the face during a moment of frustration during the first half.

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini kept it pretty professional in front of their NFL peers at a post-awards show party before the 2022 Super Bowl ... and TMZ has photos from the event.

The two were spotted hugging at a VIP party at The Forum in Los Angeles before Super Bowl LVI ... with Russini leaning in close to talk to the head coach.

Check out the photo ... Russini's hand is on Vrabel's back as she speaks into her ear -- though it could just be she needed to cut through the noise as the band Kings of Leon performed.

Flavor Flav tells TMZ Sports the "SHE Weekend" will be so epic, the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey team will leave Las Vegas with keys to the city!!

We caught up with the rap legend at LAX this week ... and he said the July extravaganza already features plenty of entertainment, food, drinks, etc. ... but they're going one step further with top honors from the city.

Flav took a jab at their men's counterparts as he raved about the bash ... saying while they went to President Trump's White House, known for giving McDonald's to champions, the ladies will be chowing down on steak and lobster.

Spencer Pratt brought his political ambitions to the hardwood last night ... showing up courtside at a Lakers game and turning the NBA spotlight into a very public campaign moment.

The reality star–turned–mayoral candidate was spotted soaking up the action at the arena ... chatting with fans and treating the high-profile game like an unofficial campaign rally.

At one point, Pratt appeared to be chatting it up in the crowd more than watching the court, all while wearing a "Los Angeles Pratt" hat that resembles the L.A. team's famous yellow logo.

The World Cup -- hosted by the United States for the first time in 3 decades -- will be here before we know it ... and U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas says sports fans are about to be introduced to a bunch of new stars!

"Yes [there will be stars born] by the end of the tournament," the U.S. soccer great told Babcock from the TMZ Sports newsroom this week, ahead of the FIFA World Cup, going down across North America, starting June 11.

"I think the Christian Pulisic phenomenon, if you will, 'cause I think he's going to go on and become the best male American soccer player. But I think again, I am sitting here because of that [World Cup] power. A guy like Weston McKennie, who plays over at Juventus in Italy, I think his personality is really going to be something that Americans are going to gravitate to."

Dana White is the opposite of frightened leading up to the HEATED UFC 328 main event matchup between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, telling TMZ Sports ... "It's exciting!"

"It doesn't scare me," the UFC honcho said Friday in Manhattan, referencing all the insane trash talk leading up to Saturday's fight card.

"It's been a minute since I've had a fight that's had this much heat on it. Ya know, it's exciting."