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Cycling star Fernando Gaviria is giving hope to those infected by the coronavirus ... he posted a video Thursday insisting he's "fine" despite his diagnosis last month.

The 25-year-old Colombian revealed he was one of several who had contracted COVID-19 during February's 2020 UAE Tour race in the United Arab Emirates.

Gaviria confirmed he has been in the hospital and quarantined while battling the virus ... but said in Spanish on Thursday he's all good.

"Hello everyone, there are many rumors circulating in regard to my state of health, but I'm fine," Gaviria said. "I've been here, undergoing regular tests, which have returned positive for the coronavirus, but I'm feeling fine."

Gaviria added, "Thank you to my team and to everyone at the hospital who looked after me to perfection. I'm here to avoid infecting other people, and to avoid this continuing to spread in the way it currently is."

"This is to assure everyone that everything is going well, and let's hope it's all resolved soon."

Gaviria is one of many professional athletes who have revealed a positive diagnosis this week ... with the most notable one, NBA star Rudy Gobert, getting the confirmation Wednesday.

"I think we're gonna have to shut down March Madness until we know more."

That's Charles Barkley saying -- in no uncertain terms -- the powers that be need to CANCEL the most famous basketball tournament in the world over the threat of coronavirus.

Sir Chuck called in to ESPN's "Get Up!" and made his case for cancellation -- despite the fact Barkley works for the companies who broadcast the tournament.

"I'm gonna say this and I'm probably gonna get in trouble because I work for Turner and March Madness and CBS ... Turner Sports and CBS need to close down March Madness, man."

Barkley explained ... "Even if there's no fans in the stadium, you can't have these players breathing on each other for 2 weeks, even if they stay at a hotel, they're going to be at different cities around the country."

"I hate to say it and I probably shouldn't say it because I work for CBS, but I think we're gonna have to shut down March Madness until we know more."

Barkley says he knows the players DO want to push forward and play, but Charles says it's bigger than that.

"I know these kids want to play. Think about it, these kids are sweating, breathing, leaning on each other ... that's crazy! Even if you lose, you go back home, you don't know if you've got the virus for a week or two."

So far, the NCAA has NOT canceled the tournament -- they've banned fans from attending games. But, the situation is fluid and can change at any moment ... especially after the NBA made the decision to suspend the regular season for the time being.

Fred Hoiberg does NOT have coronavirus ... Nebraska announced all he's got is a bad cold -- which is great news, considering the head coach looked awful on the team's bench Wednesday.

The scene was scary as hell at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis ... Hoiberg was clearly ill on the sideline of the Huskers' game against Indiana.

He was rubbing his forehead and looked to be in a pretty good amount of pain ... and with the hysteria caused by NBA star Rudy Gobert's positive coronavirus test earlier in the evening, Hoiberg was rushed to the hospital.

But, he and the Huskers got great news late Wednesday night ... with officials saying he tested negative for COVID-19.

"Hoiberg was diagnosed with influenza A (common cold)," the Huskers said in a statement. "He has since been released and has returned to the team hotel."

It's a huge sigh of relief for Nebraska ... its players were actually quarantined at the arena over fears Hoiberg had the dangerous virus.

Of course, it's unclear if there will be a season to return to for Hoiberg and the Huskers when they feel better ... the NBA has suspended its season and there's talk the NCAA could follow suit.

For now, NCAA president Mark Emmert says the plan is for March Madness to be played in fan-less arenas.

The NBA has just announced it's putting its season on hold ... this just minutes after one of its star players tested positive for coronavirus.

The league said in a statement Wednesday ... Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert had contracted COVID-19 -- and in response, it's pausing its season following the conclusion of Wednesday's slate of games.

"The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic," the league said.

The league had reportedly considered making the move earlier Wednesday ... debating whether to suspend the season or play its games without fans. Ultimately, no decision had been made prior to the tip-off of Wednesday's games.

The Golden State Warriors were set to play their game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday in a fan-less arena. However, that game will now take place at a later date.

As for how the league is handling the Jazz and Thunder after it was announced Gobert had the virus ... ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski says players from both sides are being quarantined at Oklahoma City's arena.

ESPN had a camera on Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban when he found out about the cancellation -- and it's obvious he was completely shocked by the news.

The OKC Thunder vs. Utah Jazz game has been officially postponed after the match-up was allegedly delayed over Rudy Gobert's illness ... and the scene is straight-up bizarre.

The players were seconds from tip-off at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC on Wednesday ... when the refs quickly sent everyone back to their locker-rooms.

The fans were left waiting for an explanation for the delay -- the Thunder broadcast claimed it was due to Gobert's health status and the officials were waiting for the go-ahead to play.

But, that didn't happen ... as the PA announcer officially told the fans to head home "due to unforeseen circumstances" ... adding "we are all safe."

The fans were audibly upset ... booing at the announcement.

The NBA has been working like crazy to keep its players safe during the Coronavirus scare ... even banning the media from the locker-rooms and creating barriers for practice interviews.

It's worth noting -- Gobert (who was listed as questionable due to illness for Wednesday's game) completely disregarded the league's set-up and touched every reporter's recorders at practice just 2 days ago.

Jeremy Lin is sick and tired of the racism and xenophobia directed at Asian people over the coronavirus pandemic ... and now he's taking action to combat the hate.

The ex-NBA star -- who currently plays for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association -- just donated $150,000 "towards fighting this virus."

Lin also spelled out on social media why he's upset over "news headlines of racism, xenophobia, attacks on Asians and decaying trust towards people" ... adding, "All heartbreaking and the opposite of God's kingdom."

"But for every fear-inducing headline, I see hope. I see doctors and nurses fighting the front lines in China, Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy and more. I see people helping people in countries regardless of race or background. Talk less out of hate, more out of empathy."

Lin pointed out several inspiring examples of bravery and hope:

-- "Lets talk about the man who made 16,000 meals for frontline workers."

-- "Lets appreciate the doctor who postponed his wedding and then tragically lost his life fighting the virus. He's a hero."

-- "Lets be inspired and demand justice for Meera Solanki who defended her Asian friend against an aggressive man in Birmingham only to be knocked unconscious."

-- "Lets follow suit and take action like Inner Mongolia who sent 2500 tons of potatoes to Wuhan."

On top of his $150k donation, Lin's basketball foundation in China has also donated roughly $150k to get medical equipment to Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the crisis.

Lin ended with some good advice ... "Let's all do our part to quarantine, wash our hands vigorously, wear a protective mask to avoid germs spreading and do our part to share facts and preventative measures. Stay together, fight on!"

NCAA President Mark Emmert just announced fans WILL BE BANNED from both the men's and women's basketball tournaments this month ... and it's all 'cause of coronavirus.

"I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance," Emmert said in a statement.

It's shocking news from the org. ... but Emmert said after his consultation with public health officials and the NCAA's COVID-19 advisory panel, it's necessary.

"While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports," Emmert said, "my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States."

"This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes."

The announcement comes just a few hours after the Golden State Warriors said they will play with no fans in their home arena for at least the next two weeks.

The Seattle Mariners, meanwhile, said they will NOT play at home at all in the month of March over fears of the virus.

The Golden State Warriors will be the first NBA team to play in front of an empty home arena this season ... with San Francisco banning events larger than 1,000 people due to coronavirus.

The Health Officer of SF announced the decision on Wednesday ... saying the ban will last 2 weeks (starting Thursday) and will include Warriors home games at the Chase Center.

The NBA has been exploring the option of closing games to the public due to the disease ... and after initially rejecting the idea, Lakers superstar LeBron James has agreed to listen to the experts.

The Association has also limited media access to locker rooms as a safety precaution.

"Public health must be first priority," SF supervisor Matt Haney tweeted on Tuesday.

Along with the Warriors playing in front of a fan-less crowd against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday ... all other events at the Chase Center have been canceled or postponed until March 21.

3/12 -- The CIF has announced Zaire's state title game this weekend has been canceled over coronavirus.

Dwyane Wade is FUMING over his son's role on his famous high school hoops team -- claiming the coach refuses to play Zaire -- and the NBA legend is mad as hell over it.

Wade made it crystal clear on "Inside the NBA" Tuesday ... 'cause after his co-host asked if he'd be making the trip to watch Zaire's Sierra Canyon team play in the California state title game this weekend, he gave an emphatic "no."

"I will not be there," Wade said. "My son ain't playing and I don't want to do nothing to the coach. So I won't be there."

Co-hosts Shaquille O'Neal and Candace Parker immediately noticed the shade ... with CP saying, "Yikes! On national television!"

Of course, Sierra Canyon -- the team that also features LeBron James' son, Bronny -- just advanced to the state title game in epic fashion Tuesday, without much help from Z-Wade, who was a DNP.

The game was pretty amazing ... Ziaire Williams -- a top recruit in the 2020 class -- hit a buzzer-beater to send the team to the natty ... which will be played this Saturday.

While Dwyane made his beef with the coach known over Zaire's role ... he did add, "I won't be there, but I'll be rooting for the kids."

FYI ... Zaire is a senior who has offers from five schools, including Nebraska, to play ball at the college level next season.

Sierra Canyon will play the winner of Thursday night's Sheldon vs. Bishop O'Dowd game.