TMZ Sports - Page 50

No need to play out the NCAA women's tournament ... 'cause UConn great Jen Rizzotti tells TMZ Sports she's confident her Huskies are going all the way -- thanks to Geno Auriemma's ability to always get it done!!

Rizzotti -- currently the Connecticut Sun president -- is well aware of the legendary coach's ways ... as she played under Auriemma in the mid-'90s, winning an NCAA championship in 1995.

She sees the same fierce determination in the current Huskies, with Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong leading the team to the women's 36th consecutive NCAA tournament.

Bill Chisholm's yet to take his seat at the top of the Celtics' organization, but Boston's soon-to-be new owner has already earned some big praise from at least one Cs great -- Cedric Maxwell!!

TMZ Sports chopped it up with the two-time NBA champ this week just after Chisholm agreed to buy the storied franchise from Wyc Grousbeck for $6.1 billion ... and he told us he was thrilled over the purchase.

First of all, Maxwell said he was happy Grousbeck was able to make some serious coin in the deal. Then, he explained he was pumped to learn Chisholm's a diehard supporter -- 'cause he had always hoped for continuity if a sale occurred.

Fair warning to anyone trying to get close to Ivanka Trump ... the Secret Service may not be your biggest problem, 'cause the First Daughter just flexed her skills on the mat -- thanks to a training sesh with Gisele's man!

The 43-year-old daughter of the 47th U.S. President was seen training BJJ with Joaquim Valente and his two brothers, Pedro and Gui, at their facility in south Florida.

"Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art. Rooted in tradition and guided by the 753 Code, it builds physical confidence, mental clarity, and emotional balance," the Valente Brothers wrote on social media, alongside a video of the workout session.

Ivanka shared the clip with her 11.2 million followers on X ... where she and the Valentes work on different techniques, from arm bars to throws.

Owen Hayes, the college baseball player who cops say beat the crap out of an 84-year-old man at a California bar, is no longer enrolled at his university.

Hayes was playing baseball at The Master's University in Santa Clarita, CA up until this week, when he surrendered to authorities at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and was booked on a charge of felony assault.

In a statement to TMZ, the school says ... "The individual in question no longer attends The Master's University. The University takes all violations of its standards and biblical convictions seriously."

Former Dodgers star Julio Urias has just been suspended for roughly half the 2025 season ... after the MLB announced the pitcher violated its domestic violence policy.

Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed the punishment on Wednesday ... nearly two years after Urias was accused of roughing up his wife outside of BMO Stadium in Los Angeles following an LAFC vs. Inter Miami matchup.

"The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has completed its investigation into allegations that free agent pitcher Julio Urías violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy," the commish said in a statement.

Tracy Morgan's not going into hiding after his very public vomiting episode earlier this week ... TMZ Sports has learned he's actually trying to get out to another Knicks game as soon as he can.

As you know, the comedian was hospitalized on Monday after a bad bout with food poisoning caused him to upchuck all over the Madison Square Garden floor during New York's game with Miami.

Some had wondered if he'd just opt to catch his favorite team from the couch for the rest of the season from here ... but a source close to Morgan says he will be back at MSG despite the messy scene.

It turns out the second time was not the charm for KSI and Dillon Danis to meet in the boxing ring -- their big fight slated for next week has been pushed back ... but surprisingly, it's not the latter's fault.

KSI broke the news to his fans Friday morning ... saying his body has given up on him as he deals with an illness.

"I'm coughing up greenish-yellow s*** all the time," he said. "My sinuses are hurting to the point where I need ibuprofen every day. The tension headaches that I'm getting are more painful than you can imagine."

Stephen A. Smith has a message for LeBron James after Bronny's 17-point performance ... saying he's not too proud to admit his initial assessment of the Lakers rookie could very well have been off the mark.

The ESPN talent didn't shy from his previous comments about the four-time champion's son on "First Take" Friday ... in fact, he reiterated how he initially thought the 20-year-old needed to spend a year in the G League in order to reach success with the big dogs -- but Thursday's outing has him reconsidering.

Smith said he was "very impressed" with Bronny's contribution in the Lakers' loss to the Bucks ... as he looked like someone who belonged.

The University of North Carolina can show people they belong in the NCAA Tournament on Friday by beating Ole Miss ... but it's gonna be a helluva tough game, according to Tar Heels legend Rashad McCants.

But, victory is attainable ... the former All-American told TMZ Sports, ahead of tip-off, going down Friday afternoon at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

"It's gonna be a very, very tough game," the 40-year-old former first-round draft pick said, continuing ... "I think traditionally we'll edge out, but I think if Ole Miss shows up to be who they are, they'll win."

Add Dirty Boxing Championship boss to Jon Jones' impeccable combat sports resume ... the MMA G.O.A.T. just signed a deal making him co-owner of the DBX promotion, TMZ Sports has learned!

"I was hooked from the first show. I believe this is going to be a powerhouse of combat sports. I'm proud to sign my name next to it," Jones, 37, said of the partnership.

Dirty Boxing was founded last year by a group that included "Platinum" Mike Perry and Abe and Malki Kawa, Jon's longtime managers, so the move makes sense for Jones.

Bronny James silenced some of his critics with his performance in the Lakers game on Thursday night ... 'cause the guard dropped 17 points in Crypto.com Arena -- a career-high for the rookie.

The 20-year-old got his opportunity to play for more than a few minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks ... thanks to several key players like LeBron, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and more out with injuries.

Despite the Lakers' 118-89 loss, Bronny had 17 points, his first career double-digit game and tying fellow rookie Dalton Knecht to lead the team in scoring. He also had five assists and three rebounds.

Arkansas head coach John Calipari's daughter was on an emotional rollercoaster during the Razorbacks' first-round upset in the NCAA tournament ... and even after the win was secured, she admitted she was "not okay."

Down three points with three minutes to go, cameras caught Megan struggling to keep her eyes on the court as her dad's team tried to claw its way back on top.

Hunching over in her seat, her mom, Ellen, was doing what any good mother would do ... comforting her and assuring her that everything would be okay.

The most famous Paul Skenes rookie card in existence just sold for a staggering $1.1 MILLION!!!

The piece -- which sparked a frenetic manhunt from hobbyists last year -- was bought out of the Fanatics Collect’s March Premier Auction on Wednesday night. No word yet on who ultimately came away with it.

The hefty price tag set multiple records -- it not only became the most expensive Skenes card ever publicly sold, but it also earned the mark for priciest debut patch.

Lakers fans hoping for a Dwight Howard reunion can uncross their fingers and let out their breath ... the former NBA superstar tells TMZ Sports there's simply no chance he re-signs with Los Angeles.

Many purple and gold backers, of course, have been urging L.A. to go after the big man following its Anthony Davis-for-Luka Doncic swap ... but when we got Howard out in the City of Angels this week, he said it just isn't going to happen.

Despite appearing to express some interest in re-joining the squad on X after the big trade went down, he told us at LAX he's now four years removed from an NBA roster ... and is currently content spending his time at home with his children.

A member of the McNeese State University basketball team has caught the eyes of sports fans with March Madness underway ... but we aren't talking about an athlete -- but rather their student manager!!

Senior Amir "Aura" Khan has taken the college basketball world by storm this season ... and while he isn't allowed on the bench during tournament games -- he got the team hyped as it took the court against number No. 5-ranked Clemson.

Despite the restriction, he was busy in the stands taking pictures with fans. Even the cheerleaders were in on the craze, rocking socks that featured his mug!!

Detroit Pistons hooper Malik Beasley is moving on after his split from Montana Yao ... 'cause he just hard-launched his new girl after Wednesday night's win.

Instagram model Natalia Garibotto shared a pic of the two walking out of the Kaseya Center after his 116-113 victory over the Heat in Miami -- which the 28-year-old reposted on his own Story.

She also showed Beasley running over to her after the final buzzer.