TMZ Sports - Page 50

Huge news for Warren G's football star son Olaijah Griffin ... the 4-star high school recruit has committed to play college ball for the UCLA Bruins!

Griffin -- one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation -- has decided to keep close to home and suit up for the Blue and Gold after getting offers from other powerhouse programs like USC, Michigan, Clemson and Florida State.

The 6-foot, 170-pound senior is expected to play cornerback for the Bruins, but is also a stud receiver for Mission Viejo H.S. in California.

The rap legend appeared on the "TMZ Sports" TV show last year to talk about his superstar offspring ... and he knew back then that his son was D1 bound.

Sad news for famed golf commentator David Feherty ... who revealed his son, Shey, passed away from a drug overdose on his 29th birthday.

"My first born son is gone from me, dying from an overdose on his 29th birthday," Feherty posted on social media ... "Bless his sweet heart, I will fight on."

Shey died on July 29th. Funeral services are set for Tuesday.

The former PGA golfer has also battled substance abuse himself and previously said alcoholism and mental illness run in his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking mourners to donate to the Center for Addiction and Recovery Studies.

Oakland Raiders rookie Gareon Conley is speaking for the first time since he was cleared in his rape case -- saying he knows he's 100% innocent but "could've exercised better judgment."

As we previously reported, a grand jury decided to NOT move forward with charges against the 1st round draft pick -- after a woman claimed Conley raped her in an Ohio hotel back in April.

Conley claimed they engaged in consensual oral sex but he did not force himself on her in any way.

Now, Conley tells TMZ Sports, "I am thankful that this burden has been lifted as I enter training camp with my new teammates and organization. I am thankful to the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland police for reaching a conclusion based on the facts, not speculation. I am thankful to the Raiders organization for believing in me, drafting me, and supporting me."

"Finally, I am thankful to my agent and my team for never relenting in their defense of me as a person and client."

"The past few months have been extremely trying for me and my family. Although I was the target of malicious and false accusations, I do realize however that I could've exercised better judgment and that there are still lessons for me to take away and grow from."

While most women are ducking UFC superstar Cyborg Justino ... Tonya Evinger says she wants to fight her AGAIN!!!

Tonya was leaving The Dime in L.A. on Monday night -- just days after fighting Cyborg at UFC 214 on Saturday -- and seemed to be in pretty good spirits after her 3rd round K.O.

Evinger told us she's not guaranteed a rematch -- even though she fought Cyborg tougher than any other fighter before her -- but says she'd REALLY like another bite of the apple.

And why? Tonya says she knows what she can do better the 2nd time around.

File Under: "Too Little, Too Late"

Kevin Hart wants his good friend, Chris Paul, to stay in Los Angeles so badly, he's using his own money to convince him to back out of the Rockets deal.

Didn't work though.

Kev and CP3 hit up Madeo for dinner -- and on the way out, Hart whipped out his wallet to pay for Paul's valet ... telling his pal, "Don't leave L.A., Chris!"

Chris smiled and told Kev, "Don't do that."

Obviously, that ship has sailed -- Chris signed with the Houston Rockets after 6 seasons with the Clippers.

Sorry, Shaq and LaVar -- looks like the epic matchup between your sons ain't happenin' ... 'cause Shareef O'Neal says he's gunning to be 1-and-done before LaMelo Ball makes it to UCLA.

We got Shareef leaving LAX with his mom, Shaunie ... and the Arizona Wildcats recruit told us straight-up that he wants to dip outta 'Zona after just one year to go get that NBA money.

Since LaMelo's one year behind him ... that would mean no O'Neal on Ball action -- until the NBA.

There's more ... Shareef says he'd prefer not to follow in his dad's footsteps in the endorsement world ... meaning Reebok's probably off the table. Big Baller Brand isn't on the kid's short list either.

As for the O'Neal vs. Ball rivalry ... Shareef told us IT AIN'T REAL -- and that he hasn't even listened to Shaq's epic diss track.

Yeah ... right.

Think L.A. Dodgers superstar Yasiel Puig could pick World Series hero Luis Gonzalez out of a crowd?

You're about to find out ... courtesy of the TMZ Celebrity Tour!!!

Puig flagged down the bus (super comfy seats, btw) while eating at Villa Blanca in Bev Hills on Friday -- and got onboard to take pics and shake hands with the guests ... one of whom happened to be Gonzo!

Everyone had a blast and Puig was super cool -- but do ya think he knew he just shook hands with a 5-time MLB All Star (and former Dodger)???

NBA player Steven Adams just got an offer to make big bucks playing another pro sport ... 'cause Rick Fox wants the killer Kiwi to join his pro gaming team.

Fox is the owner of team Echo Fox, a team that competes in Major League gaming ... and when we got him out at LAX and told him Adams is a huge gamer, Rick went all Jerry West.

"He's got time, I'll talk to him."

Rick's logic? A big time NBA guy like SA is just want the gaming community needs to bring in even more eyes to the sport.

UFC fans are hurtin' to see Jon Jones fight Brock Lesnar next ... but Dan Henderson is stompin' out the potential superfight.

Why? Hendo told TMZ Sports he's got ZERO interest in seeing Jones vs. Brock, "because it's not for anything, other than for fun."

In other words -- it'd all be for entertainment, a la Mayweather vs. McGregor ... not like the good ol' days when all dudes cared about was stackin' belts.

Henderson would know -- he's one of the most decorated champs in MMA history.

The legend did give Jon props for his comeback -- where Jones brutally KO'd Daniel Cormier to win back the light heavyweight championship ... and then put Lesnar on blast.

Didn't take long for a grand jury to decide Gareon Conley's fate -- the Oakland Raiders rookie cornerback will NOT be charged with rape stemming from an April incident, officials say.

The 1st round draft pick was accused of raping a woman at an Ohio hotel just days before the NFL Draft -- and prosecutors kicked the case over to the grand jury on Monday morning.

But just a few hours later, the jury made a decision to NOT move forward with charges against the former Ohio State star.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement, saying:

"After a thorough investigation by the Cleveland Police Department, the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations of sexual assault against Gareon Conley were presented to a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury returned a No Bill on all possible charges."

Conley had previously admitted to having oral sex with the accuser but insisted it was consensual. The woman had claimed Conley forced himself on her and engaged in vaginal intercourse.

Don't book the wedding venue just yet ... Chandler Parsons says he and UFC Octagon babe, Arianny Celeste, are "just hangin' out" -- at least, for now.

The two were spotted out together earlier this month -- they had dinner together Thursday night -- and the rumors are they're full on dating.

The Chicago Cubs are giving a World Series ring to infamous superfan Steve Bartman -- and Bartman is so moved by the gesture, he says he can finally move on with his life.

The Cubs superfan went into self-imposed exile after interfering with a fly ball during Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. The Cubs lost the game and the series and fans blamed everything on Bartman.

He was torched in the media, mocked for years and even received death threats.

But now, with the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016, the team want to make things right -- and are hoping the ring will do the trick.

"We hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated throughout our quest to win a long-awaited World Series," Cubs prez Tom Ricketts says.

Seems to have worked -- because for the first time we can remember, Bartman is speaking out in great detail about the Cubs.

"Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring," Bartman told WGN.

"I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved."

He continued, "I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving forward with my life."

The question now -- will he ever step foot in Wrigley Field again? Seems likely the answer will be 'Yes.'

The Steph Curry party train is rollin' HARD this summer -- dude crashed a random house party this weekend and slammed beers at 2 in the mornin' ... and it was all caught on video.

The 29-year-old NBA superstar was in Newport, Rhode Island on Saturday night for the wedding of his ex-Warrior teammate, Harrison Barnes -- and after the party, he was on the hunt for the after-party.

So, he rounded up a gang of 5 dudes -- including Kent Bazemore -- and rolled over to a nearby house that was bumpin' loud music.

They knocked and asked if they could join in -- and the gang of 20-something-year-olds inside immediately passed over the Bud Lights.

They wanted Steph to shotgun the beers -- but Curry decided it was best to just chug. He ended up wearing half the can on his Steph Curry UA shirt.

We're told the guys partied for about 30 to 45 mins and everyone had a blast.

Epic end to an epic night. No sign of Kyrie, BTW.

Allen Iverson was gambling in a Chicago area casino hours before he blew off a BIG3 basketball league game in Dallas over the weekend ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Iverson was first spotted at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, IL on Saturday night into early Sunday morning. One witness says AI was still in the building at 3 AM.

The issue ... Iverson -- who's the coach and captain of the 3's Company team -- was supposed to be in Dallas to play Team Power but he never showed up.

Hours later, Iverson surfaced at the Sugar Factory restaurant (around 10 PM on Sunday -- wearing the same clothes he'd been wearing at the casino in the days before. Fans who recognized him asked for photos, but he refused.

The restaurant is 2 miles from the casino.

The BIG3 has launched an investigation into the situation.

Iverson had been frequenting the casino last week -- and had been gambling with a huge stack of chips at the roulette table.

Earlier in the month, he was spotted at another casino in Philadelphia.

Attempts to reach Iverson were unsuccessful.

Prosecutors are moving forward with the rape case against Oakland Raiders 1st round draft pick, Gareon Conley, this according to the Cleveland Police Dept.

Officials say the District Attorney's office believes it has enough evidence to prosecute and they kicked the case over to a grand jury -- which will ultimately decide whether to indict the 22-year-old.

As we previously reported, a woman claims the former Ohio State cornerback raped her at a hotel room in Cleveland on April 9 -- just days before the NFL Draft.

Conley says the two did have "brief oral sex" -- but insists it was consensual and says there was no vaginal intercourse.

The accuser had told police they met in the elevator at the hotel. But video shows the two partying at the same bar and leaving at the same time earlier that night.

Meantime, the Raiders officially signed Conley to his rookie contract a few days ago -- reportedly worth more than $10 million over 4 years.

The greatest duo in NBA history is BACK ... stepping on the same court together for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen joined up at MJ's Flight School basketball camp Sunday night in Santa Barbara ... gracing the hardwood with G.O.A.T.-level swag as they ran campers through shooting contests.

Jordan threw up some jumpers too -- and the kids LOVED it.

The camp told us it was the first on-court meeting of the Bulls legends since their last title run in '98 ... one a lot of fans didn't think would happen since they've never been too tight off the court.

Things seem cordial now. Take notes, LeBron and Kyrie.