TMZ Sports - Page 50

Metta World Peace's son is already a high school phenom ... being recruited by multiple college programs ... but the most impressive part -- he's only been playing organized basketball for 1 year!!!

Metta called in to "TMZ Hollywood Sports" from Italy moments ago ... and told us his 15-year-old son Ron Artest III has always been a freakish athlete ... but never played in a real game until this year.

"He has a chance to be real good," Metta told us.

The issue -- Metta says Ron's real passion is modelling ... and he doesn't want to "force" his son into sports if his heart's not in it.

President Obama just met with the most powerful man in Jamaica ... Usain Bolt ... who made such an impression on POTUS, the guy struck Bolt's famous lightning pose.

You gotta watch the clip, Obama is totally geekin' out over meeting the fastest man on the planet.

In fact, he gushed about Bolt to the room ... saying, "Nobody's ever been faster than this man ... EVER ... of all the billions of people."

Obama is supposedly in Jamaica on political business ... but it looks like it's all a cover to get to Usain.

MORE FIYAH!!!!!!

Bengals lineman Devon Still says he and his daughter Leah are devastated by the death of their friend Lauren Hill ... and have vowed to team up with Hill's foundation to continue the fight against cancer.

The Stills got to know Hill while 4-year-old Leah and 19-year-old Lauren were both going through cancer treatments over the past year ... and worked together to raise money for cancer research.

Now, after learning of Lauren's passing ... Devon says he will continue the fight with Lauren's foundation, Club 22 ... which is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.

"I will be getting with the family and coaches and definitely furthering awareness and what she's achieved with her foundation. I want to make sure that what she's done and the way she lived is never forgotten."

"We all have to turn all the negative from this into a positive and share what we've learned from Lauren through this tough experience."

Khloe Kardashian has been told to get off her ass in her divorce from Lamar Odom, or the case will be dismissed, and it looks like that's exactly what's about to happen.

A document was just filed by the court in Khloe's divorce, saying she has not gotten off the dime and unless she files paperwork to seal the deal in the divorce case or the whole case will be thrown out.

Khloe filed in December 2013 and Lamar never responded. She had a right to go to court and get a default divorce judgment, but she hasn't done it. In fact, sources connected to the Kardashian family tell us she just doesn't want to deal with the divorce and won't take any action.

It's become a problem, because our sources say the house Khloe and Lamar owned was sold more than a year ago for $5.5 million and the business people don't know what to do with the money because the divorce is in limbo.

So now the court has made it clear ... if Khloe doesn't file papers to make the divorce final, she will stay married to Lamar and the divorce case will be dismissed ... as early as the end of April.

The guys suing the WWE over alleged brain injuries are a bunch of "nobodies" brainwashed by lawyers to believe they can score a quick buck ... at least according to a WWE lawyer.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Big Russ McCullough, Ryan Sakoda and Luther Reigns claim the WWE has known for years its athletes are suffering brutal and debilitating injuries, but it's only interested in making big money.

We spoke to Jerry McDevitt, WWE’s outside counsel from K&L Gates. He tells us the guys -- who only wrestled for a short time -- are "being targeted by attorneys who tell them there's hundreds of thousands of dollars they can make by joining a class action suit like this."

McDevitt adds, "We know these claims are fraudulent, and will fight them."

He claims other wrestlers who've been approached to join the suit think it's a scam. McDevitt believes the suit spends more time talking about Chris Benoit and other wrestlers than it does the actual plaintiffs.

"It's sensational, but if you really look at ... what was done specifically to them?" McDevitt says. "There are almost no details as to what they actually suffered as a result of working with WWE."

Among the details included in the suit -- the plaintiffs say they were forced to wrestle, even when they'd suffered injuries like torn ligaments and concussions.

LeBron James just posted a goodbye letter to Lauren Hill -- the 19-year-old college basketball player who died from brain cancer -- explaining how she deeply impacted his life ... even though they never met.

Lauren's story became national news ... when she realized her dream to play for the Mount St. Joseph women's hoops team back in November while battling an inoperable brain tumor.

At the time, James said Hill was "truly amazing" and an inspiration -- and now, with news of her passing, he penned an emotional farewell letter.

"Dear Lauren Hill,

You are the true definition of strength, courage, power, leadership, etc etc! Your time spent on earth will never be forgotten.

I [hate] that I never got the chance to meet u in person but know you inspired me the whole time! For every life u touched, u made the biggest impact of them by just being YOU!!

You're in a far better place now and please don't have too much fun up there w/o all your family and friends.

Can u please tell my Grandma I said hello. Don't be afraid, she knows you cause we spoke about u plenty of times Until we officially meet again, take care and continue to be that LEADER we all love! ‪

#‎RIPLaurenHill

Metta World Peace has a son who can ball -- 15-year-old Ron Artest III -- who was throwing down some ferocious dunks in his high school gym ... and it was all caught on tape.

Here's what we know ... RA3 is one of the stars of his high school basketball team in L.A. We're told the kid (a sophomore) is already 6'8" and is being recruited by several college programs.

Plus, our high school basketball sources tell us Ron can dunk from the free throw line!!

Three wrestlers have sued the WWE on behalf of all current and former wrestlers who have suffered serious brain and other damage as a result of "egregious mistreatment" by the organization.

Big Russ McCullough, Ryan Sakoda and Luther Reigns (obvious stage names) claim the WWE has known for years ... the brutality in the ring has resulted in dementia, Alzheimer's disease and a lot more.

The lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- claims the WWE, "under the guise of providing 'entertainment' .... has for decades subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality."

The suit acknowledges wrestling is scripted but nonetheless unrelentingly brutal, claiming "WWE is in the business of selling violence."

The legal docs chronicle various matches in which wrestlers were destroyed. It mentions the 2014 Royal Rumble, in which one wrestler "demolished another with a series of brutal steel chair attacks," and the docs refer to "the carnage created by the match's victor."

The lawsuit gives an interesting inside look into wrestling, saying the goal of the WWE is to elicit "heat," meaning heightened violence with the use of various props, including chairs, ladders and tables. The suit singles out various moves, including the Brain Buster, Bulldog, Cobra Clutch Slam, Facebreaker, Jawbreaker and Powerslam. It singles out the chair shots to the head, which was banned in 2010.

The suit claims, "The WWE coerces its wrestlers to work while they are injured by, among other methods, threatening to strip them of their position within the organization if they refuse." It says they are "universally encouraged to 'wrestle through the pain.'"

And the lawsuit mentions Chris Benoit, who was "routinely hit in the head with a chair." Benoit, who killed his wife and son along with himself, was autopsied after his death. A doctor concluded Benoit's brain was so damaged from CTE, it "resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient."

The weekend of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight will be LEGENDARY for pimps, hos, marks, mark ass marks, trick ass marks, punk bitches and skip skap scallywags alike.

At least according to one of the most famous (and perhaps the most celebrated) pimp of all time ... Bishop Don "Magic" Juan.

The Bishop was hangin' at Berri's Cafe on Third in L.A. when he told us Sin City will be a virtual ho-asis on May 2nd ... because hos go where the money is.

"People are bringing hundreds of thousands [of dollars] just to throw away," Bishop says.

Here's video of NFL superstar Odell Beckham Jr. -- proving he's WAYYYYY faster than non-NFL superstar Diddy.

OB2 was in West Hollywood yesterday -- where he decided to test his foot speed on the same steep hill where Diddy was running sprints back in February.

According to our unofficial clock ... Beckham ran the hill a full 2 SECONDS faster than Diddy did it.

So, congratulations Odell ... you're faster than a 45-year-old non-professional athlete.

The competition for the hottest Mayweather/Pacquiao post-fight party is over ... cause Jay Z just announced he's getting in the game ... with V.I.P. tables running up to $50k-a-pop.

It's all going down at Marquee nightclub at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas -- just down the way from where Manny and Floyd will be facing off on May 2nd.

We spoke with party honchos who tell us they expect this to be the biggest after-party on the strip -- despite fierce competition from stars like Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and 2 Chainz.

If you don't have $50k, don't worry ... there are cheaper options.

General admission tickets are $100 -- if you have a penis.

Tickets for females are significantly cheaper ... $30.

Gender equality -- it ain't for everybody.

Khloe Kardashian got a present from the Armenian people -- a certificate giving them a plot of land -- and it's interesting that she's referred to as "Odom" yet she had no problem displaying it to the world.

It appears the certificate was created by residents of a high-end housing community in the country, where Khloe and Kim are touring. It appears the residents gave the Kardashians a piece of earth.

The certificate refers to Kim as Kimberly Kardashian West and Khloe as Khloe Kardashian Odom.

As you know, Khloe filed for divorce a year-and-a-half ago. No big deal the certificate reads "Odom," but it got our attention that she posted a photo of the certificate on her Instagram and wrote, "Kourt and Rob we got you a souvenir!!!!!! Land in Armenia!!!"

She had to know she was referred to as Odom, and apparently she cared, because Khloe deleted the post.

Khloe's divorce has been stalled for months. There's been no activity and no explanation.

Thabo Sefolosha's lawyer tells TMZ Sports ... the video of his client's arrest proves what Thabo has said all along -- he did NOTHING wrong.

We spoke with attorney Alex Spiro who tells us, "I fully expect this case to be dismissed. The video speaks for itself."

Of course, the video shows Sefolosha in a violent clash with 6 NYPD officers early Wednesday morning ... following the Chris Copeland stabbing.

Cops say Thabo was being aggressive toward police during the encounter and that's why things turned physical.

Sefolosha says B.S. -- and has vowed to fight the charges.

Atlanta Hawks star Thabo Sefolosha was grabbed around the neck -- and flung to the ground -- in a struggle with several NYPD officers during his Wednesday arrest ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Before the video begins, Thabo's teammate Pero Antic was already sitting on the curb -- subdued by police for allegedly obstructing cops from investigating the Chris Copeland stabbing.

But when cops tried to corral Thabo, something went wrong -- and a scuffle breaks out between the NBA player and 6 officers.

At one point during the struggle, you can see an officer reach out and grab Thabo by his neck ... while two other officers help take the 6'7", 220-pounder down to the ground.

Eventually, Thabo is placed in cuffs -- and officers walk him down the street ... while onlookers shout obscenities in French directed toward the police.

Moments ago, it was reported that Thabo suffered a fractured tibia in the melee and will miss the remainder of the season.

Chris Copeland's girlfriend might have saved his life -- seconds after he was stabbed outside an NYC nightclub ... she jumped to his rescue by attacking the alleged stabber ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to police docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... Chris' gf, Katrine Saltara, told cops she "jumped on the defendant in an effort to protect" Chris -- and in the process she ended up getting cut several times.

The suspect, Shevoy Bleary, appeared in a Manhattan court on Thursday ... and was charged with 3 counts of assault and 2 counts of possession of a weapon. His bail was set at $20k.

In addition to Chris and Katrine ... Bleary also allegedly slashed a woman identified as a friend who was "with him" when the argument with Copeland turned physical. She had to get 22 stitches in her abdomen.

As for Copeland's injuries ... his diaphragm was punctured during the stabbing, and he's recovering after surgery.

Dennis Rodman -- unofficial ambassador to North Korea -- is celebrating his 54th birthday like a true dignitary ... with a MASSIVE PORN STAR BASH ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Three of the biggest porn stars in the biz -- Katie Morgan, Tasha Reign, and Teagan Presley -- will help The Worm blow out his candles at Sapphire gentlemen's club in Vegas on May 1st.

The club is gonna be insane that weekend -- not just because Rodman + porn stars = insanity ... but also because it's the weekend of the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight.

We're told Rodman and the X-gang will be hanging out in a private area of the club -- and guests can buy tix to enter for $250-a-pop.

As everyone knows ... Dennis loves birthdays -- just last year, he serenaded Kim Jong-un. No word if Mr. Supreme Leader plans to return the favor.