TMZ Sports - Page 50

L.A. Clippers rookie Jason Preston has made his first big purchase after becoming a pro baller ... and it's not a house or a car -- but a new iPhone!!

The 22-year-old former Ohio Bobcats star was the Clips' #33 overall pick in the NBA Draft last month ... which secured him a 3-year, $4.4 million deal.

So, naturally, when we ran into the hooper out at LAX this week, we had to ask if he's treated himself to anything nice after making it big time ... and he dished on his favorite new toy.

"This phone," Preston said while showing off the new gadget. "I had an iPhone 7 before. I got a 12 now."

BTW -- the 6-foot-4 guard shot 43% from midrange and averaged 9 points and 4.8 assists per game during Summer League play ... and said he was able to chop it up with new teammates Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who were there to support their rookies.

"They've been great!"

Of course, if you haven't heard of Preston's story, it's pretty incredible -- he averaged 2 points a game during his senior year of high school and nearly pursued a career in journalism before enrolling at a prep school, where he blossomed into a baller.

He later joined Ohio, where he had huge games against some notable basketball programs in the country ... impressing the Clippers so much, they took him with their first second-round pick.

Are you a total shubie and wanna channel your inner wave rider?? Now's your chance to live vicariously through these smokin' hot athletes -- the cast of the hit show, "The Ultimate Surfer"!!

If you haven't seen the new ABC series -- produced by Dana White -- it's a competition where surfers group up in teams of one male and one female to face off in difficult challenges at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch ... with $100k and wildcard spots on the 2022 WSL Championship Tour on the line.

There are some seriously skilled stars in the show -- from Anastasia Ashley to Zeke Lau to Malia Ward, Tia Blanco, Mason Barnes, Luke Davis and more.

The competition is already underway ... and some folks have been sent packing. There's also been a bit of alliance-building and drama going down -- but don't worry, we won't spoil it for ya.

In the meantime, check out all these scorching hot pics of all the season's contestants ... and you guessed it -- a lot of poses include their beloved surfboards.

Wanna win your fantasy football league this year?? NFL Network star Kay Adams has the secret sauce to get you that trophy -- naming five sleepers that'll break out in 2021!!

Adams tells us the list of overlooked players starts with Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb ... saying she believes the wide receiver is going to go OFF this season.

"CeeDee Lamb is going to be a top-five finish," Adams said, adding that 1,500 receiving yards and eight touchdowns are not out of the question for the second-year wideout.

Next, Adams says Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver Rondale Moore could help dominate in points per reception leagues as well.

"He's just a weapon," Adams said of Moore. "They're using him in the preseason on the ground, handoffs, special trick plays -- crazy mind of Kliff Kingsbury -- so I think Rondale Moore is actually in a PPR league that's going to end up being really, really valuable."

When it comes to tight ends ... Kay says she thinks way too many people are passing on Detroit Lions star T.J. Hockenson.

"There's no way in my head he ends up outside the top three," Adams said.

Marvin Bagley III -- the Sacramento Kings’ #2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft -- is jumping on a new track with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. ... with both stars letting the world know they’re more than athletes ... they’re rappers too!!

The new track is called "Y’all Must’ve Forgot II" ... a direct throwback to Roy’s "Y'all Must’ve Forgot" from his 2002 project, "Round One: The Album."

The 22-year-old Bagley -- who raps under the artist name MB3FIVE -- goes hard on the track over a booming southern rap beat ... making references to his NBA career in the process.

"Gone from the game for a year, I came back like ‘Pac, when he got shot they wouldn’t believe it but they had to watch," Bagley raps on the song’s third verse.

He continued ... "I do not listen to the negative energy, they gon’ envy me. I do not care if they not feelin’ me."

MB also gave RJ some major love on the song -- "I just beat 'em with the left like Roy," he raps. “I was built for this game, I just kill and destroy.”

Okay, Marvin!!

Oscar De La Hoya's GF, Holly Sonders, says she ain't gettin' any ... at least not until her man's scrap with MMA legend Vitor Belfort on September 11.

TMZ Sports ran into Sonders -- who's been dating 48-year-old Oscar for a few months -- in Beverly Hills on Friday ... and we hit her with the most critical question?

Sex or nah before the fight?

"We are very disciplined, I will say that," Sonders tells us ... "More than anybody probably ever thought we could be."

And, boot knockin' ain't the only vice the couples cut out ... Holly says they're temporarily sworn off booze, too!

"I decided weeks and weeks ago I wouldn't be drinking, I wouldn't be partying, I'm right there with him."

Of course, myth or not, it's long been said that sex before a fight lowers testosterone ... and therefore negatively affects performance in the ring.

And, Oscar wants to be in peak condition ... 'cause he hasn't fought in over a decade.

In fact, ODLH's last time in the ring as a boxer was a loss against Manny Pacquiao in 2008.

But, Sonders tells us De La Hoya literally looks better than ever.

"Oscar looks as good or better as he did in his prime prime."

Only 15 days until the fight with 44-year-old Belfort.

Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker are full steam ahead as they try to make out on every stretch of sea in Italy ... and this time the PDA is going down off the Amalfi Coast.

The supermodel and the NBA star took their yacht to Positano to kick off the weekend, with Kendall showing off her curves in a skimpy black bikini to work on her tan.

Kendall made sure to avoid tan lines on her back, going topless as Devin kept a close eye on her as she lay face down. Naturally, they made out.

The vino was flowing as the couple enjoyed a nice spread on the deck and took a soak in the hot tub. Devin even hopped off the top level of the yacht, splashing down and probably giving his NBA bosses a heart attack.

As you know ... Kendall and Devin have been trekking through Italy on the yacht, with their latest PDA pit stop taking them to Sardinia. They've been inseparable since Devin's gold medal at the Tokyo Games, starting with a lake boating trip and a boozy lunch in the States.

The investigation into Trevor Bauer's alleged assault is over -- police have turned over their findings to the L.A. County D.A., who will now decide whether the MLB All-Star will be charged with a crime.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... the Pasadena Police Department has concluded their months-long investigation into 30-year-old Bauer -- who has been accused of hitting and choking a female companion without permission while they were having sex.

Now, detectives have sent all relevant info to the county District Attorney.

Bauer had a huge win in court last week ... after a judge dismissed the accuser's request for a permanent restraining order, determining the pitcher's actions did not exceed the limits set by the victim.

As for the injuries, the judge said they are "not the result of anything she told [Bauer] she objected to."

The judge also ruled Bauer did not pose a continual threat.

Despite the victory, Bauer certainly isn't out of the woods yet -- on top of the possibility of criminal charges, he's still facing punishment from the MLB and a possible civil case.

Another alleged Bauer incident came to light earlier this month ... when an Ohio woman accused him of punching and choking her during sex ... and filed a restraining order last summer, before withdrawing it shortly after.

Bauer has not pitched since late June and remains on administrative leave.

Have you ever heard of a pro basketball player returning to the court just 4 MONTHS after a devastating torn ACL injury??

That exactly went down in Atlanta Thursday night ... with 34-year-old star Angel McCoughtry defying the odds and entering the game ... after getting hurt during preseason.

It was a homecoming moment for the Las Vegas Aces forward … who was the 1st overall pick in 2009 by the Atlanta Dream.

Angel spent the first decade of her career with the Atlanta franchise … which, of course, is now co-owned by TMZ Sports co-host Renee Montgomery!!!

BTW -- Renee and Angel were teammates in Atlanta for two seasons ... and RM showed some serious love after McCoughtry's big game.

"That was such an amazing feeling yesterday," Angel wrote on Twitter. "I hadn’t been in front of fans for over three years."

According to the Mayo Clinic, it takes up to a year or more before athletes are usually cleared to play. But, Angel's been rehabbing with this game in mind.

The 2-time Olympic gold medalist only played 7.9 seconds -- and missed the only jump shot she took -- but it was bigger than basketball.

The star was met with a standing ovation from the crowd -- after all, it was initially believed she would miss the entire 2021 season due to the devastating ACL and meniscus tear in her right knee injury during a preseason game.

TMZ Sports has obtained LAPD body camera footage of Jaxson Hayes' arrest ... and the NBA hooper appears to shove a police officer, sending him careening into a wall.

The video starts with cops approaching 6'11, 220-pound Hayes outside his GF's L.A. house -- after a woman called 911, claiming she received "disturbing" texts from her cousin who claimed Hayes was "getting loud and violent," adding she was "scared and couldn't call the police herself."

Once on the scene, cops told 21-year-old Hayes they had to enter the home to make sure everyone was safe ... but Hayes objected.

Hayes eventually attempted to retreat inside ... but officers blocked his path. Police attempted to cuff Hayes ... and that's when the situation turned violent.

Hayes appears to forcefully shove an officer ... sending him slamming into an exterior wall of the home. Police later said the officer was injured during the incident ... and required medical treatment.

Officers then wrestled Hayes -- who was struggling with the cops -- to the ground. He is heard on video saying "I can't breathe."

Moments later, after repeatedly ordering Hayes to comply, an officer tases him. Jaxson appears to have been tased twice.

Cops eventually were able to get Hayes in handcuffs.

Jaxson is later heard telling police to take it easy on his arm ... because he feared they were going to break it.

As we previously reported, Hayes was arrested following the July 28 incident with cops ... and was booked on a resisting arrest charge.

At the time, LAPD launched an internal use of force investigation to determine whether appropriate force was used after Hayes alleged he couldn't breathe during the arrest.

A large police union that represents LAPD officers has called on the NBA and New Orleans Pelicans to suspend Hayes for pushing the officer -- and repeatedly using the n-word during the arrest.

Philip Rivers' career as a high school football coach is off to a good start after his team DESTROYED their opponent in the season opener ... and the ex-NFL star was STOKED.

Of course, the 39-year-old took over as football coach at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, AL in January after ending his 17-year NFL career as a star quarterback.

The Rivers-led Cardinals kicked off their season Thursday against McIntosh at Fairhope Municipal Stadium in Alabama ... and they won, 49-0!!!

Rivers was fired up, to say the least ... giving an excited interview after his first win as head coach.

"Tonight was special,” Rivers said to AL.com after the game.

"I told them I was excited to watch them play, and I really was. They had a different approach than they did last week because they knew it would count.”

Even though his team ran up the score against McIntosh, he says there's still some cleaning up to do.

"It was a good win. We did some things that were a little sloppy that I’m probably glad they happened now."

"But, all in all, we had a lot of different guys touch the ball. All the wideouts touched the ball. We ran it well. It’s a good start, but we have a long way to go.”

And, Rivers is "enjoyin' the heck" out of his new gig -- he says H.S. football in 'Bama hits different ... and this level of the sport has always been one his favorite moments of his entire football career.

"After playing 50 something college games and 250 something NFL games – those Thursday and Friday nights in high school, being around it at Decatur High growing up and playing, they are some of my favorite memories."

Yankees manager Aaron Boone lost his mind on an umpire during NY's game Thursday ... melting down on the guy in an absolutely epic tirade that was all caught on broadcast cameras.

Boone was furious after home plate ump Todd Tichenor called an apparent ball a strike during the Yanks' tilt with the A's -- and then he was promptly ejected.

But, Aaron was so livid over the call and being thrown out ... he ran out of the dugout to scream at Tichenor.

The temper tantrum lasted for a while -- and it ain't hard to see the 48-year-old was dropping cuss word after cuss word after cuss word on the ump.

At one point, Boone even kicked some dirt on home plate to show just how disgusted he was with Tichenor.

The best part of the clip, though, had to be when cameras panned to Yankees players Anthony Rizzo and Luke Voit -- who were both clearly laughing at the rant!!

Boone eventually tired out and left the field ... and it seems it all motivated his squad, 'cause the Pinstripes went on to win the game, 7-6, without their manager.

Former Patriots QB Scott Zolak says his former team should turn off the rap music at practice ... explaining he believes the tunes are hurting Cam Newton's game.

Seriously.

Zolak -- who played for New England from 1992 through 1998 -- was reporting from Pats practice Thursday ... when he made the wild claim, saying he believes Cam is straight-up "distracted" by rap songs that blare over the team's speakers during workouts.

"I'd turn off the rap music first of all," Zolak said on 98.5 "The Sports Hub." "Because I think it's distracting for Cam here. Because in between every throw he's dancing."

Zolak continued, "He can't help himself."

The 53-year-old former signal-caller then said it's a stark difference when compared to Patriots backup QB Mac Jones, who he said "looks like he came to work again."

"Like, he's here to work. And everything is attention to detail."

"But, again," Zolak added, "that's Cam's style."

Newton has been known to bust a move during Patriots practice ... cameras catch him often bouncing around to hip-hop while on the field.

But, Cam has noted Jones has a similar love for the music ... explaining last month he was "surprised" by Mac's knowledge of rap.

"You catch him in the locker room every time quoting some Future, some Baby," Cam said.

Hard to fathom the tunes are playing any role whatsoever in the Pats' QB competition ... but Zolak clearly believes that's the case.

Adam "Pacman" Jones is ready to whoop some serious ass in his boxing debut ... telling TMZ Sports he expects to have his hand raised at Rough N' Rowdy Friday night!!

The 37-year-old ex-NFL star has taken his talents to fighting after retiring from football in 2019 ... and is set to face off against 5-0 (amateur record) boxer Bobby Laing at the Barstool Sports event in West Virginia.

Jones says he's been training on and off for about 10 years now ... and beating the brakes off someone in the ring has always been on his bucket list.

Pacman says he's truly addicted to the sport ... and has been training with world-class professionals over the past few months to prepare for his debut.

So, how's he expect it to go??

"With my hand raised as the new motherf***ing RNR champ," Jones tells us ... adding one last warning to his opponent.

"Bobby Laing, your goddamn winning is over with. The honeymoon has officially ended today. I'm ready to f***ing go. Let's go."

We also spoke with Barstool's Chef Donny -- who's set to face off against TikTok star QCP on the same card -- and he tells us he's ready to humble the influencer who's got more than 8 MILLION followers on the platform.

Donny says he's been doing 2-a-days every day for more than a month leading up to the big matchup ... and has been in "war mode" to mentally prepare himself for battle.

"The kid's got a pretty face, so I've really wanted to just destroy something beautiful," he tells us. "It's gonna be a pretty bad moment for him."

"I guarantee you, it's going to be an action-packed fight."

Interesting conversation with Jake Paul ... who did his best to channel Mike Tyson when talking to TMZ Sports, threatening to eat Tyron Woodley when they fight this Sunday.

"I might eat this man. I might eat this man on television."

Yes ... serious shades of Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

Lucky us, there's more ... 24-year-old Paul sent a message to the 39-year-old future UFC Hall of Famer.

"Hey Tyron, hope you're not afraid of hippo tigers, because I'm a hippo tiger and you just pissed me off. And, when a hippo tiger is pissed off, he does crazy s**t."

It's reminiscent of Iron Mike's epic tirade in 2000 ... when Tyson, talking about Lewis, uttered the now-infamous phrase ... "I want your heart. I want to eat his children."

We also talked to Jake about the verbal altercation between his squad and Woodley's mom, Deborah ... and The Problem Child told us there's plenty of blame to go around.

Bottom line -- Paul and Tyson finally get to put hands on each other this Sunday ... when they square off on Showtime PPV.

Jay Cutler admitted he hasn't had much fun dating since his split with Kristin Cavallari ... explaining that getting back into the scene has been "hard as hell."

The ex-NFL star made the revelation on his "Uncut with Jay Cutler" podcast this week ... saying straight-up that "meeting people is hard."

The 38-year-old was comparing dating to his former Chicago Bears team finding a new quarterback ... when he broke off on a tangent about how searching for love again has not been easy.

"I think finding out what people really, really want from you, I think that's probably an issue," Cutler said when he was asked why it's been tough.

"I'm at a different phase of my life now with kids and priorities are just changed," Jay added.

"Like, it isn't just a purely selfish play by my part. Like, there's a lot of other aspects that have to be taken into consideration whenever you get back out into that world."

Cutler said dealing with apps and social media platforms to court women has also been a big change.

"Like, it's a whole different ball game," he said. "You're not just walking into a restaurant or bar and talking to somebody. That doesn't exist anymore."

Cutler and Cavallari officially called it quits back in April 2020 ... and Jay has been spotted with a few women over the past year, most notably in January with a mystery blonde in Mexico.

Jay, though, made it clear he hasn't found anything too worthwhile ... saying he's not even sure what he wants in his next flame.

"I, honestly, I don't know that," Cutler said. "I wish I knew -- I think I'm trying to figure that out throughout this process, but I will [figure it out]. It's not a rush for me at this point."

Absolute chaos broke out at the Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley press conference just now ... with the UFC star's own MOTHER getting into it with the YouTuber's camp!!!

It all went down after the two fighters faced off and posed for pictures ... with everything seemingly going according to plan.

But, as the cameras cut back to commentators Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, a verbal scuffle broke out behind them ... and it was none other than Deborah Woodley in the middle of it.

There were chairs knocked over as a crowd formed around DW ... and security and police worked their way in to try and calm down the crowd.

As all this was going down, Jake was spotted steering clear of the area and appearing to head back to his spot.

The announcers broke down what they heard ... claiming Tyron demanded "a f***ing apology" and was shouting "you think it's a game."

Tyron was clearly LIVID over Jake's camp confronting his beloved mom ... and the guy had to be escorted out of the room.

The whole ordeal went down for several minutes ... and Thomas even called for security to step in and get everyone out of the area.

Once Tyron left the room, he was spotted yelling at pro boxer and Jake's training partner, J'Leon Love ... who denied ever saying anything to his mother.

Jake and Tyron are set to fight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Sunday night ... and yeah, it just got personal.