TMZ Sports - Page 50

LaMelo Ball's professional hoops career is taking a pause ... because the youngest Ball brother is returning to high school basketball, having been accepted at a super exclusive prep school.

Ball just announced he will enroll at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio, a school that boasts state-of-the-art facilities also used in training the U.S. Olympic team.

We know what you're thinking -- according to Jake Weingarten, Melo was never paid during his time as a pro, so he never lost his eligibility ... apparently, that makes it okay for Ball to suit up starting November 13.

Theoretically, his college eligibility might still be in play as well.

Melo will be teaming up with fellow H.S. hoops sensation 7'7" Robert Bobroczky ... whose highlights have gone viral for obvious reasons.

It was a controversial move for LaVar Ball to ship his kids over to Lithuania to play professional ball earlier this year ... and with Melo going back to high school, that experiment is officially over.

Melo later played in LaVar's Junior Basketball Association league ... and totally dominated the competition.

"I thank my dad for the JBA Experience and playing overseas," LaMelo says of the move. "I’ve been accepted to attend Spire Prep Academy in Geneva, Ohio where i look forward to earning my highschool diploma and winning with my new team!"

LaMelo's dad appears to be cool with the move as well ... saying, "My youngest son Melo has decided to complete his Senior year of highshool at Spire Prep Academy in Geneva Ohio."

"He will earn his highschool diploma, and help lead his new team to W’s!"

Ex-NFL lineman Khalif Barnes -- who had a long stint with the Oakland Raiders -- has been interviewed by police as part of an investigation into the mysterious death of a man in Harris County, Texas.

Here's the backstory ... the body of 29-year-old Jordan Davenport was found in a lake on October 31.

Cops are looking into tips that Davenport was involved in a violent altercation with several men on Oct. 27 -- the last day he was seen alive.

We're told ... cops received a tip that 36-year-old Barnes may have been involved in the altercation, so they tracked him down and spoke with him about the incident.

Our sources say Barnes has NOT been named a suspect -- or even a person of interest -- but noted the investigation is just getting started.

Barnes has now lawyered up.

We're also told the investigation has not been deemed a homicide -- at least, not yet. However, officials are conducting an autopsy and the results could change that.

Cops are attempting to speak with anyone who may have information about the incident while they try to put together a timeline showing the events leading up to Davenport's death.

Multiple attempts to reach Barnes for comment were unsuccessful.

Barnes -- 6'6" and 320 pounds -- was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2nd round of the 2005 NFL Draft after a stellar college career at Washington. He later went on to play for the Raiders from 2009 to 2015.

NY Giants backup QB Kyle Lauletta says he's sorry for his October arrest -- where he allegedly almost ran over a cop -- claiming, "My parents raised me better than that."

Kyle also says he's gotten support from Eli Manning -- who reached out hours after the arrest.

As we previously reported, Lauletta -- who many believe should get a shot to start over Eli Manning -- was pulled over on his way to practice last Tuesday after cops say he was driving like a maniac.

During the attempted stop, officers say the 23-year-old "attempted to evade [the arresting officer], making an illegal turn and continuing towards Route 495, almost striking the officer."

He's facing several charges -- it's a bad look for the guy.

So, Tuesday morning, Lauletta issued a statement ... saying, "First things first I want to apologize to the #NYGiants organization, my teammates, the fans and my family."

"The incident that happened last week is a terrible representation of who I am and what I stand for."

"Right is right and wrong is wrong. My parents raised me better than that. It’s tough, and I have to take it as a lesson and move forward from it."

"I have to deal with the consequences, and that’s that."

He added, "I’m going to do everything I can to be the best teammate I can be, get back to work and try to keep moving forward one day at a time."

Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder says you're only as good as your last fight ... and that's why Floyd Mayweather could ruin his ENTIRE LEGACY if he gets blasted in his upcoming fight.

Floyd is putting his 50-0 record on the line when he faces off against undefeated 20-year-old kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in Toyko on New Year's Eve in what could be an MMA rules fight (they're still working it out).

Wilder says Mayweather is putting more than his perfect record on the line because if he looks bad, his entire untouchable career could be tainted forever.

"People only remember the last thing you done. Just imagine me, I've knocked out 39 guys this is gonna be my 40th one. Let's just say this is my last fight ever, and I just go the rounds or I lose, they won't fully remember all my knockouts. That's why in boxing we must retire at the right time when we're on top."

It's an interesting point, and while other huge fighters like Muhammad Ali have looked bad in their final fights and it HASN'T affected their legacy ... that was before social media.

Just days after filing for divorce, Larsa Pippen hit the Hollywood scene looking ... GOTTDAMN!!!!!

Decked out in a skintight, short, boob-revealing black dress ... the 44-year-old hit Hailey Baldwin's PrettyLittleThing launch party Monday night at Catch in West Hollywood.

As we previously reported, Larsa has called it quits with her longtime NBA husband, Scottie Pippen, after 21 years of marriage ... but both sides insist it's a peaceful split.

Our sources tell us ... both sides recognized the marriage wasn't working anymore and Larsa felt it was best to divorce so she can be open to meeting new people.

Larsa hasn't exactly been hiding out in her basement since the breakup -- she turnt up at Kendall Jenner's Halloween party last week in a super sexy costume.

The message here is clear ... Larsa's ready for her new chapter -- bombshell bachelorette.

Former pro boxer Mario Oscar Melo -- who fought Michael Moorer for the WBO light heavyweight title in 1990 -- died Sunday after choking on dough during a croissant-eating contest in Argentina.

**WARNING -- THE VIDEO IS DISTURBING**

Video shows several men violently trying to dislodge the croissant from Melo's throat while on stage at the event in Buenos Aires, but to no avail. Melo was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Melo was 56.

Reports say Melo was on his 3rd croissant when he started to choke. The pasty is known locally as a medialuna.

While eating competitions are popular around the world, the Major League Eating organization (which oversees huge events like Nathan's Famous 4th of July hot dog contest) always requires paramedics to be on hand in case a situation like this happens.

According to local reports, there was a firefighter and a doctor in the crowd who raced up and tried to help -- but it does not appear there was a dedicated, trained medical staff at the event.

Melo was 21-9 as a pro fighter, with the Moorer fight being his most famous bout -- though he lost in the 1st round.

Floyd Mayweather's first order of business after announcing his big fight in Japan?? Well, he ain't sprinting to the gym just yet ... he had to check in on his L.A. Clippers first.

As we previously reported ... Floyd is going up against undefeated 20-year-old kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 14 on Dec. 31 in what might be an MMA match (the 2 sides are still deciding on the rules).

After the surprise press conference in Japan on Sunday night, the 41-year-old returned to the States on Monday in time to catch the tip off in his usual courtside seats at Staples Center.

Floyd is famous for staying in fight shape -- even when he's not fighting -- so, it's not like 1 day off will really matter.

Then again, Mayweather claims Tenshin is super fast and motivated -- so taking the fight lightly could be a mistake.

That said, critics like 50 Cent say this Tenshin guy is like fighting an Uber driver -- so, Floyd could stuff his face with hot dogs and popcorn and still light him up.

Farrah Abraham pulled no punches trash talking the celebrity boxing promoters she says did her dirty ... claiming they bullied her outta an anti-bullying event. Oh, the irony.

We got Farrah Monday night in WeHo outside of Catch restaurant and asked about her doomed fight against Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander. You'll recall Farrah pulled the plug claiming promoters screwed her by not providing her with hotel rooms, plane tickets and fight tix.

The ex-'Teen Mom' turned her guns on event organizers, including promoter Damon Feldman. Farrah says she's turning her attention to her new show.

Daniel Cormier tells TMZ Sports the fight with Brock Lesnar is 100% going to happen -- and he's already putting together a timeline to prepare his training camp.

The two have been going at each other in public for months but Brock's obligations to the WWE are an issue, especially since he's now the WWE Universal Champion.

But, Cormier says he's thinking about a March date for the Lesnar fight -- which lines up perfectly with UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas.

"My preparation for that fight won’t start until the beginning of the new year," Cormier told the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weeknights on FS1).

"I got the Gilroy High School wrestling season up until February (he's a coach at the high school in Northern California). So, it has to be after that. So, I’m off limits until early March."

Cormier insists he's deadly serious about walking away from fighting on his 40th birthday -- which is March 20 -- so, UFC 235 would make the most sense.

That said, Cormier's career is on fire right now -- both in and out of the Octagon. So, we asked if Dana White came to him with an 8-figure offer to fight Jon Jones for a 3rd time, would he take it?

Triple H went to Saudi Arabia ... and all he got was this lousy pectoral injury!!!

GOOD LORD!!!

The WWE superstar suffered a pectoral tear during the pay-per-view show in Riyadh last week during a tag team between D-Generation X and The Brothers of Destruction.

Despite the injury, the 49-year-old legend finished the match -- and even put Kane into his trademark Pedigree finishing move.

But, the damage to his chest was pretty bad -- you can see the discoloration in his right pec ... it's bad.

The good news, Triple H scheduled surgery for Tuesday morning and he'll hopefully make a full recovery.

Wrestling -- still think it's fake?

Triple H isn't exactly a full-time wrestler anymore -- but he's been known to getting in the ring and mixing it up every now and then.

Dennis Rodman's going to bat for Luke Walton -- telling TMZ Sports he thinks the Lakers coach is doing a "very, very good job" ... but he's being treated unfairly by the organization.

"I mean, it's a sad situation," Rodman said ... "I think Luke Walton's been doing a very, very good job with the team."

The Lakers are 4-6 and Magic Johnson essentially said Luke's job is safe (for now). So, what's so unfair about the situation? Here's what he said. See if you speak Rodman ...

"I think now, all of a sudden, with a 'higher power' coming to the Lakers, called LeBron, all of a sudden now things are changing. And, his hands are tied right now."

We think Dennis means Luke isn't really free to call the shots as long as LeBron is on the team. He's basically gotta do whatever Bron wants.

There's more ... Rodman also says Luke's gotta deal with some of the young guys on the team who thought they were gonna be stars in Los Angeles until LeBron came along.

"He's taking all that limelight away from these young kids now ... It's like, the kids gotta f**king grow up."

Dennis isn't just trying to dish out advice to the Lakers -- he strongly believes people battling addiction issues can learn a lot from his agent Darren Prince, whose new book details his own struggle.

Jon Stewart REALLY wants the Mets to be good -- and REALLY wants 'em to sign Bryce Harper -- but he's also been around long enough to know they'll bungle it.

"There's no way Bryce Harper is coming to the Mets," Stewart told us in NYC ... "It's not possible!"

Harper is reportedly looking for a MASSIVE new contract (some say $400 MIL) with his eye on several teams. But Stewart says fellow Mets fans shouldn't hold their breath.

"I'm sure they just signed a 14-year-old they're sure is going to be the next Bryce Harper," Stewart says ... "but is gonna turn out to be just another asthmatic with a bat."

Jon is one of New York's most famous die-hards ... but back-to-back seasons of fewer than 80 wins have him feelin' pretty down on the Mets these days.

Still, Jon says he's holding out a scintilla of hope ... because a strong left-handed batter would be DOPE!

Joakim Noah's model girlfriend Lais Ribeiro was so damn hot in her thong bikini in Malibu this weekend -- we barely noticed the beach was littered with a ton of HUGE stars!!

Seriously ... everyone from John McEnroe to Kenny Chesney and Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber were hanging out at Laird Hamilton's pad for a Sunday funday.

But, all eyes were on Joakim and Lais ... for obvious reasons.

Joakim was waived by the Knicks last month -- and while they lost to the Washington Wizards that day, Noah was having a much better time.

Lais is one of the top lingerie models in the world and will be walking in the Victoria's Secret fashion show later this week.

She famously rocked the $2 MILLION fantasy bra at the 2017 show in China -- which Joakim could easily afford, considering he's made more than $121 MILLION playing pro basketball.

Unclear how long Joakim and Lais have been an item -- but they were reportedly spotted out clubbing back in September and have grown closer ever since.

In fact, they spent Halloween together and even had themed costumes -- he was Aquaman and she was Storm.

Keenan Allen's got a little bit of Marshawn Lynch in him -- 'cause after the Chargers WR lit up the Seahawks on Sunday, he busted a crotch grab aimed right at some Seattle fans!

TMZ Sports has the footage showing Allen walking toward the tunnel after L.A.'s 25-17 victory over Seattle ... and grabbing his junk while staring at some loud Hawks fans at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

After two solid pumps -- Allen playfully stuck out his tongue at the fans and continued into the locker room.

Allen had a helluva game -- hauling in 6 catches for 124 yards and 2 rushes for 28 yards. He was in a good mood.

Guessing Allen will likely get fined for the gesture. Also guessing he knew that already and didn't care because he's in the middle of a 4-year deal worth up to $49 million (with $20 mil guaranteed).

For comparison, Rams star Marcus Peters was fined $13,000 for busting a crotch grab while diving into the end zone earlier this season (in a tribute to his pal, Marshawn Lynch).

Deontay Wilder learned how to floss from the creator of the dance himself in the middle of an airport this weekend ... and TMZ Sports has the amazing video.

The 6'7" Wilder and the Backpack Kid randomly ran into each other at LAX ... and, of course, a floss lesson went down.

Deontay was surprisingly terrible at it ... but tells us he might find a way to work it into one of his next fights with a little more practice.

As for BPK ... he got shown a couple moves from Wilder too -- but says he hopes The Bronze Bomber can perfect the floss and turn it into his new post-knockout routine.

The feud between 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather is still going -- Fiddy just CLOWNED the boxer's newly announced fight, saying his opponent is more "Uber driver" than contender.

As we previously reported ... Mayweather just signed a deal to fight on New Year's Eve in Japan against an undefeated 20-year-old kickboxer, Tenshin Nasukawa.

Unclear whether the bout will be a boxing match or full-on MMA ... but, either way, 50 says it's a joke.

"Champ fighting a Uber driver before the IRS embarrass him again. Pay preview my ass, we watching this on YouTube."

50 didn't stop there ... sayin' Floyd shoulda taken on Gennady Golovkin -- writing, "What happen to GGG, couldn't find his phone number. get the f**k outta here wit this sh*t."

50 added, "Champ done turned into a circus act ... at least Canelo fighting killers."

Fitty and Floyd have been beefing on social media for months ... with Mayweather recently saying a rift between the rapper and Floyd's manager, Al Haymon, is where the tiff all started.