Basketball

Shaquille O'Neal is giving the "Hawk Tuah" girl some sage advice ... how to navigate her newfound celebrity status.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... when Shaq and Hailey Welch linked up in Nashville last weekend, the NBA legend started dropping knowledge.

We're told Shaq gave Hailey a bunch of tips on how to deal with fame ... advising her to keep a smart team around because folks will come out of the woodwork to try and take advantage of her.

Angel Reese's Reese's Pieces could be coming to a grocery store near you ... TMZ Sports has learned Hershey's is in talks with the WNBA superstar about a potential partnership.

The connection first playfully began after the Chicago Sky's thrilling win over Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever late last month ... when Reese went to X to call her followers "Reese's pieces."

"Where yall at?????" she wrote.

Many people are screaming "nepotism" after the Lakers selected Bronny James in the NBA Draft, but the move is getting Michael Cooper's big stamp of approval -- 'cause the former Showtime star tells TMZ Sports he LOVES the pick!!

There’s been a ton of talk surrounding L.A.’s decision to take LeBron's oldest son with the 55th pick last week ... as some are considering it a perfect example of a "nepo baby" getting an opportunity over more deserving prospects.

But Cooper – who won five championships with the Purple and Gold – is scoffing at that narrative … breaking down why he is a huge fan while at LAX this week.

Angel Reese is an All-Star -- and achieving the major milestone brought the WNBA star rookie to tears after the Chicago Sky game on Tuesday ... calling out the doubters in the process!

The 6-foot-3 forward received the good news that she'd made the All-Star team after the Sky beat the Atlanta Dream on the road, 85-77.

The awesome moment comes after Reese was named June's WNBA Rookie of the Month after setting a league record for consecutive double-doubles, so you can understand why she was overwhelmed with emotions.

Bronny James is opening up on his decision to rock No. 9 in the NBA ... confirming he chose it to honor late musician Juice WRLD.

LeBron's eldest son faced the media for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker on Tuesday ... and after fielding several questions about his relationship with his four-time champion pops, who was in attendance for the presser, he explained how the digit he'll sport during games was far from random.

"Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I've been through," 19-year-old Bronny said minutes ago. "So yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed. It's a really important thing for me."

Dick Vitale just underwent surgery to remove a cancerous lymph node ... but in true Dickie V fashion, he's remaining positive about everything.

The famous college basketball announcer revealed last week that he was diagnosed with the disease after tests showed a mass in his neck was malignant.

On Tuesday, docs cut it out of him with the hopes of stopping its spread ... and in a post on his X page, he told his followers he's optimistic about his prognosis.

NBA veteran Cameron Payne was placed in handcuffs and thrown behind bars last month because he repeatedly refused to give officers his real name during a police investigation after he dialed 911 ... at least, that's what cops are saying.

According to a Scottsdale Police Department incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Payne called cops at around 2:44 AM on June 14 after getting into an argument with his girlfriend in Arizona.

But, cops say when officers arrived on the scene, he and his GF told them police services were no longer desired ... as their quarrel was merely a verbal one, and they had calmed down since.

Jayson Tatum's summer just got even better -- the Boston Celtics champion just secured a 5-year, $315 MILLION extension ... making it the biggest contract in NBA history.

News of the negotiations broke minutes ago ... with the 26-year-old agreeing to a supermax deal to stay put in Beantown -- quite possibly the biggest no-brainer of the offseason.

Tatum is fresh off winning his first title with the Cs after eliminating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals last month ... and while he didn't win MVP honors, he was crucial to Boston's success this postseason -- averaging 25 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists a game.

"Hawk Tuah" girl's 15 minutes of fame ain't over yet -- and clearly, neither is her time spittin' -- 'cause the internet's newest star was seen over the weekend partying with Shaquille O'Neal in Nashville, where she, fittingly, coughed up some saliva on one of his microphones!!

The NBA legend -- who moonlights as a DJ -- was in the Music City on Sunday for a performance at Jon Bon Jovi's new JBJ's Nashville joint ... when, at some point, he crossed paths with Hailey Welch, aka Hawk Tuah.

The two chatted it up at the eatery and posed for some pictures ... and later in the evening, she joined the Big Diesel in his DJ booth.

Haley and Hanna Cavinder continue to thrive in the NIL era in college sports ... the two stars were just announced as the newest brand ambassadors for Under Armour!

The apparel giant dropped the news this morning ... welcoming the University of Miami hoopers to the company. The deal marks the first exclusive apparel and footwear deal for the Cavinder twins, who boast 4.5 million followers on TikTok.

The twins called the partnership a "dream opportunity" to team up with Under Armour, saying the company is giving them a platform to inspire the next generation.

Diana Taurasi is changin' her tune a bit on Caitlin Clark ... following their first on-court matchup this weekend, the WNBA legend had nothing but praise for the league's newest star.

Of course, Taurasi made headlines back in April ... when she said she anticipated big struggles from Clark once she arrived in the W. The Phoenix Mercury guard said on ESPN "reality is coming" for the then-Iowa superstar -- explaining she believed dominating in the WNBA was a far tougher task than tearing up the college ranks.

But, after Clark and her Fever squad got the better of Taurasi and the Mercury on Sunday at the Footprint Center in Arizona ... Taurasi had nothing but kind things to say about the 22-year-old.

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson wasn't about to let Pride Month come and go without a big celebration ... showing love for her LGBTQ teammates by getting them a hilarious cake!!

The two-time WNBA MVP showed off the special gesture on Instagram on Sunday ... saying it's something she does every year -- but this one took the cake. Literally.

The tasty treat is decked out in rainbows, disco balls and scissors ... and features the words "Hooray you gay" in the center.

Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk were destined to be world champions ... so says their former middle school gym teacher, who tells TMZ Sports he recognized long ago that there was something special about the two.

The Boston Celtics hooper and Florida Panthers left winger -- who both won their respective titles in the NBA and NHL this month -- both attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO as kids ... and Michael Derkits -- who also coached Tatum on the basketball team -- got an early look at their potential.

Derkits said Tatum and Tkachuk hit it off as soon as the former transferred to Chaminade as a 7th grader ... and he credits to them having similar personalities.

Rich Paul says Bronny James would be in the NBA even if his name was John Smith ... downplaying all the critics' claims of nepotism playing a major role in LeBron James' son getting drafted to the Lakers.

Bron and Bronny's agent touched down at LAX on Friday -- just 24 hours after the rookie had his name called with the 55th pick in the draft.

Paul talked all about the highly-publicized selection for the Purple and Gold ... saying first and foremost, he's thrilled for the 19-year-old hooper -- 'cause he definitely deserved the opportunity.

Legendary basketball commentator Dick Vitale says he's dealing with another bout of cancer ... announcing on Friday that some tests he underwent this week revealed a malignant mass on his neck.

The 85-year-old shared the sad update moments ago with his fans on his X page ... saying he's now scheduled to undergo surgery next week to try to rid himself of the new issue.

"With all the 🙏🙏🙏 I have received & the loving support of my family, friends & @espn colleagues I will win this battle," Dickie V said.