TMZ Sports - Page 8

Famed, record-breaking climber Jake Whisenant died from blunt force trauma, after falling during a climb ... TMZ has learned.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office Coroner tells TMZ ... Jake's preliminary cause of death has been determined, but the toxicology results are still pending -- the manner was ruled an accident.

We're told the witnesses saw the fatal fall ... and Jake's death was instant.

Former NFL star Marcellus Wiley is no longer facing a criminal charge over an alleged domestic violence incident involving his estranged wife, Annemarie Wiley ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, prosecutors in Orange County, Florida, told the court they would not be pursuing the case.

The filing states prosecutors declined to file charges because "testimonial evidence received is not corroborated by any physical or other evidence and is therefore insufficient to obtain a conviction."

In other words, it sounds like prosecutors didn't feel there was enough evidence for an easy conviction.

USA Swimming CFO Cory Hilliard found himself in hot water on Monday ... when he was arrested for allegedly misappropriating funds at his old gig.

Hilliard -- who previously worked as an assistant Athletic Director at the University of Colorado Boulder -- was under investigation by the school and local police for alleged fiscal misconduct between 2021 and 2025.

Colorado athletic director Rick George notified the school of the potential wrongdoing in July 2025 ... while Hilliard served as the designated administrator of its Nike Elite program, which is in place to help athletes, coaches and staffers with merchandise.

Enes Kanter Freedom has officially submitted paperwork in hopes of entering the 2027 WNBA Draft ... claiming it's totally in bounds with the league's current rules.

The 34-year-old former NBA big man revealed the signed letter on Monday ... which states, "Please accept this formal document as my official written notification to the Women's National Basketball Association of my voluntary decision to enter the player pool for the 2027 WNBA Draft."

"Consistent with the current league collective bargaining agreement, I am submitting this notice to exercise my draft rights and to affirm that I am at least twenty-two years old and that I have no remaining intercollegiate eligibility, as required by Article XIII, Section 1(b)."

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is back on the practice field ... just two weeks after his wife was allegedly shot by the couple's son at their family home.

The longtime coach returned to training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday, following the tragedy.

Of course, Mia Bieniemy was shot multiple times on July 26 at the couple's home in Virginia. Authorities say their 27-year-old son, Elijah, was the one who pulled the trigger.

Aaron Donald is still Aaron Donald no matter how much Aaron Donald ya get ... so says Shawne Merriman, who tells TMZ Sports even if the All-Pro defensive tackle comes back at 80% -- he's one of the best players in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams legend has been flirting with the idea of a return ever since the Myles Garrett trade earlier in the offseason ... and the chatter intensified when he had an official tryout this week.

We asked the Chargers great what he thought of the potential reunion ... and he believes Donald can dominate two years removed from his last snap.

Jake Whisenant -- a climber who holds the record for the fastest time up Yosemite's El Capitan -- has died ... according to a report.

According to the California Post -- which cites the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner -- Jake passed away on August 3. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown at the time.

Bailee Moore -- a self-described longtime friend of Jake's -- paid tribute to him on social media ... writing that his loved ones take solace in knowing he was doing what he loved when he passed.

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton are kicking the romance rumors into top gear ... because she's sharing intimate new photos with the Formula 1 superstar.

The reality star and mogul posted a fresh batch of pics to Instagram showing herself and Lewis getting cozy in several different settings ... including an elevator, the backseat of a car and more.

One of the more eye-catching shots shows Lewis with his hand resting on Kim’s stomach as the two pose for a mirror selfie ... while Kim's sweater is basically slipping off her impressive bod.

Klay Thompson seemed to have a fairly fun time at the Orange County Fair Saturday night ... along with a mystery lady friend

The NBA star was spotted at the reggae group Rebelution's concert ... hanging with a woman in a box and vibing to the music.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... the two had a security guard with them at the event, ensuring themselves ample private time. On top of that, an OC Sheriff's Deputy kept an eye on his booth.

Sophie Cunningham and DiJonai Carrington just turned a heated WNBA matchup into a full-blown controversy ... with Carrington getting ejected after a hard hit on Cunningham, followed moments later by a social media post that appeared to take a shot at the Indiana Fever star.

During Saturday’s Fever-Sky game in Chicago, Carrington made contact with Cunningham’s head during a first-quarter play. Officials initially called a common foul ... but after a review, upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 and ejected Carrington.

Cunningham quickly got up, while teammate Makayla Timpson stepped between the two players, however the drama continued online. Shortly after the ejection, a post reading “WHITE PRIVILEGE” appeared on Carrington’s Threads account, tagging the Indiana Fever.

Mark Zuckerberg looked more like an iceberg over the weekend ... floating on the middle of the lake and sparring with UFC pro Merab Dvalishvili.

The tech entrepreneur shared a clip of the fight to Instagram Sunday ... full of punches, kicks -- and even Merab picking him up and running him around the barge while the two duked it out on.

In the clip, Zuck's wife -- Priscilla Chan -- rolled by the barge in a kayak ... and he tells her Merab made him take his shirt off so he'd look more like a fighter.

Five-time NBA champion and Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson has died at 86, his family announced Sunday.

Nelson’s family announced his death Sunday, saying the Basketball Hall of Famer passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones ... saying "On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family."

They added ... "Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories." A cause of death was not mentioned.

Royce White says he's testing out his new look before next year's WNBA draft ... throwing on a wig and embracing his "feminine era."

The former NBA player who announced he's throwing his hat in the ring for the 2027 WNBA draft shared the pic on X ... rocking the hair piece and a serious expression.

In his caption, Royce wrote he's glad the wig showed up on Saturday ... so he could "test it on the court" Sunday as his "feminine era" truly begins.

Trent Williams has allegedly been hoarding his 49ers gold ... because a car company claims the NFL star hasn't paid his lease in years.

The offensive lineman is being sued by OpenRoad Auto Group -- a car dealer in Washington -- which claims in 2021 it leased a 2018 Porsche 911 to Trent.

According to OpenRoad, Williams agreed to make 48 monthly payments ... with the lease expiring August 31, 2025.

The company claims Williams made the first two lease payments in August and September 2021 ... in the total amount of $10,617.26 ... but hasn't made a single payment since.

Soccer icon Hope Solo is putting some of her most legendary gear on the block!

The former longtime U.S. Women’s National Team star -- widely considered the greatest goalkeeper the game has ever seen -- is auctioning off more than 45 pieces from her personal collection at Lelands.

The big-ticket items include her match-worn, signed, photo-matched jersey and shorts from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final victory over Japan ... her championship ring from that title run. The auction house says it's the most significant women's soccer memorabilia ever made available to the public.

Also up for grabs -- the Golden Glove award Solo earned as the tournament’s top keeper (she allowed just three goals in seven matches), along with her match-worn jerseys from the quarterfinal win over China and the semifinal triumph against Germany.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is finally weighing in on the league's raging transgender athlete debate ... acknowledging the issue isn't going away -- and neither are the conversations about it.

Engelbert addressed the controversy in a memo sent to teams Friday and obtained by the AP ... saying she expects transgender participation in women's basketball to continue getting "significant attention."

The commish stopped short of taking a side ... but said the league will approach the issue thoughtfully and respectfully, while stressing "preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition" remain among its highest priorities.