TMZ Sports - Page 50

Here's Justin Bieber pulling off a between the legs layup during the Kanye West birthday hoops game and celebrity extravaganza.

Not bad, right?!

According to people who were there, Bieber was the most impressive player on the court ... racking up a ton of points ... and was ultimately named MVP of the game.

Justin Bieber is NO JOKE on the basketball court ... and absolutely dominated the A-list competition at Kanye West's birthday party ... so says an NBA witness, Dorell Wright.

The Portland Trailblazers player didn't play in Kanye's big bash at Staples Center on Monday -- but he was in the building as a celebrity spectator ... and says the most impressive player on the court was JB.

"Bieber was showin' out," Wright said ... "He definitely had the most points. It was between him and Tyga."

Apparently, Kanye wasn't bad either ... but the question -- who wins in a 1-on-1 between Bieber and the birthday boy?

Wright says the answer is pretty obvious ... and it's gonna make one of the guys really mad.

Things are heating up QUICKLY between Rihanna and soccer superstar Karim Benzema ... 'cause after the two partied in Hollywood together Monday night, Benzema capped off the night with a cheesy romantic finishing move ... ROSES!!!

TMZ Sports spotted RiRi and the Real Madrid stud on their way out of Henry's ... and even though they left separately, it was pretty obvious they were there together.

As we previously reported, the two had been hanging out on the East Coast (after flirting online last year) ... and even met up for a late night food run in NYC just last week.

Which bring us back to last night ... when Benzema shelled out a bunch of cash to the infamous rose lady on his way out of the club ... seems like a shameless attempt to close the deal.

Wonder if it worked.

Despite the fact he's already been on suicide watch AND involved in a prison fight, convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez says he's "doing well" in prison ... and gets tons of fan mail.

TMZ Sports obtained a hand-written letter the ex-NFL star sent to a female pen pal ... in which he starts off by apologizing for the delayed response.

"I'm sorry I couldn't respond sooner but I do receive numerous letters daily!"

He continues -- very politely we might add -- to explain how he's handling life in one of the most high tech maximum security prisons in the country.

"I am doing well and will always, we have so much to be thankful for in life, even when we naturally focus on the negatives."

Kim Kardashian gave her husband Kanye West a set of keys for his birthday -- the keys to STAPLES CENTER ... in what has to be the most baller gift ever!

Kanye turned 38 on Monday, and Kim went all out ... renting the home of the Lakers and Clippers for a day so Yeezy could play a basketball game with his boys.

We're told Kim dropped $110,000 for the gift -- and the only thing more impressive than that is the guest list.

Kanye's running the court with NBA superstars Russell Westbrook and John Wall ... plus his pals Justin Bieber, Tyga, and Pusha T. James Harden and 2 Chainz are coaching, John Salley is announcing ... and freakin' John Legend sang the National Anthem!

Icing on the hardcourt cake? Kim hired real NBA referees, and a few Laker girls to cheer on her hubby.

Oh, and Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Shaquille O'Neal, and Scottie Pippen ... made videos that played on the jumbotron.

#WifeOfTheCentury

Brittney Griner says she was blindsided by Glory Johnson's pregnancy announcement -- but it wasn't the fact she was preggo that shocked her, it was the timing.

Griner sat down with ESPN's Kate Fagan and said she was surprised that Johnson went public with the news when she did because "it's very early. It's too early to post or say anything about it."

As TMZ Sports previously reported, sources connected to the couple tell us Johnson has only been pregnant for less than a month.

It's still unclear whether or not Griner wants to have a relationship with the child -- or if she plans on helping out Johnson with the financial situation.

During the interview, Griner re-stated that getting married to Johnson was a "huge mistake" and said she only agreed because she felt pressured into it.

The Game turned himself in to police for allegedly threatening to kill an opponent -- who happened to be a cop -- during a basketball game, but his time in custody was very brief.

TMZ broke the story ... an arrest warrant was issued last week when the D.A. charged Game with one count of making criminal threats back in March.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the rapper surrendered to LAPD just after noon on Monday, and was released 54 minutes later -- once he posted his $50,000 bail.

Game posted a photo chilling in a hot tub on Sunday, saying ... "Relaxing in the sauna before I turn myself in..... But what you gone do when you get outta jail... I'm gonna have some fun."

Let the fun begin.

The woman who claims she was raped by former NFL player Ray McDonald just got a huge win in court -- because the judge has THROWN OUT the defamation lawsuit McDonald had filed against her.

McDonald had sued the woman back in March claiming the accuser LIED when she told police he raped her at his home back in December in a diabolical plot to ruin his NFL career.

The woman had claimed she hit her head when she fell at Ray's pool -- and didn't remember having sex with him. Ray denied any wrongdoing and claimed the sex was consensual.

But moments ago, the judge ruled that the woman had only reported her story to the police -- and no one else -- and is therefore protected by the 1st Amendment.

The judge tossed McDonald's lawsuit against her -- and ordered that McDonald pay the accuser's legal fees related to the defamation suit.

President Barack Obama is finally weighing in on the international FIFA scandal -- saying it's important for the U.S. to make sure the sport is clean ... because the Americans are good at it now!!

Obama was at the G7 Summit in Germany when he said, "I will say that in conversations I’ve had here, in Europe, people think it is very important for FIFA to be able to operate with integrity and transparency and accountability."

“And so, as the investigation and charges proceed, I think we have to keep in mind that although football -- or soccer, depending on which side of the Atlantic you live on -- ​is a game, it’s also a massive business, it’s a source of incredible national pride, and people want to make sure that it operates with integrity."

"The United States, by the way, since we keep on getting better and better at each World Cup, we want to make sure that a sport that is gaining popularity is conducted in an upright manner."

Suck on THAT Zlatan ...

Despite the fact she's been accused of beating up a minor and berating cops, the allegations surrounding Hope Solo come 2nd to what happens on the soccer field ... so says a Team USA legend.

We spoke with Briana Scurry -- the Team USA goalie before Hope Solo took over --and asked her if Solo should be yanked from the Women's World Cup in the wake of new reports detailing her alleged reprehensible behavior on the night she was arrested for domestic violence.

Scurry deflected (she's a goalie after all) ... but essentially told us, "Right now what's important is what happens on the pitch."

"The team does need her to be at her best and she needs the team to be at its best ... so right now the important thing is what they do on the field."

Some life updates from Denver Broncos stud linebacker Von Miller ... apparently, he's got a new celebrity partner on his chicken farm ... and he's finally addressing his team's fart tax.

It all went down outside Hooray Henry's nightclub in West Hollywood -- where Miller had been partying with his pal (and fellow NFL linebacker) Melvin Ingram.

Seems Ingram has gotten in on Miller's legendary chicken farm in Texas (yes, he really has a chicken farm) ... though, the dudes appear kinda hammered, so they may have just been messin' around.

As for the fart tax ... there have been reports the Broncos fine players for tearing ass during meetings. So, we asked Miller about it.

Two organizations that represent police officers are demanding an apology from Hope Solo -- saying the way she allegedly treated cops during her '14 arrest is completely unacceptable.

We spoke with the executive director at the Major Cities Chiefs Association ... an international group dedicated to forwarding the interests of police officers ... who tells us, "It's so unfortunate that someone of [Hope's] stature would berate a police officer -- though, it's uncommon."

According to the Kirkland Police Department ... Solo WENT OFF on several officers when she was arrested for domestic violence last year -- telling one cop, "You're such a bitch. You're scared of me because you know that if the handcuffs were off I'd kick your ass."

The MCCA says, "My message to Hope would be, apologize. Say you're sorry. An apology goes a long way. Most police officers are very understanding people."

We also spoke with a rep for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association ... which represents 40,000 officers in the U.S. ... who tells us they're also disappointed with the soccer star.

"It's unfortunate she's degrading the people that protect her. She should try walking a mile in their shoes."

As for allegations, Hope told an officer that her necklace costs more than that cop makes in a year ... the SSPBA says, "The fact of the matter is, her necklace probably does cost more than that officer makes in a year ... and that's sad."

Here's proof Justin Bieber is no different than ANYONE ELSE on the golf course -- slamming his club to the ground after a crappy shot ... and then taking about 5 mulligans in a row.

Bieber -- who's been golfing for years -- hit the links in L.A. when he came upon a shot that he just couldn't hit right.

You can feel Bieber's frustration level growing ... as he goes back to his cart, grabs more balls, and whacks away with similar results.

Don't act like you can't relate ...

Ronda Rousey might be the greatest car salesperson EVER ... because she just sold her broken, beat up, dirty Honda Accord for roughly 4 TIMES it's actual value!!!

The UFC superstar (along with her sponsor Armbar Nation) was auctioning off her '05 Accord on eBay -- a car that has a broken transmission, 156,000 miles and is filled with a bunch of Ronda's old crap.

It also features a personal signed note from Ronda, thanking the car for its loyal service as she fought her way to the top of the fight game.

The professionals say the car SHOULD be worth between $4k and $5k ... but it just sold to the highest bidder ... for $21,300!!!!

Ronda tells TMZ Sports, "I'll miss the worn in feeling you get from like a favorite pair of jeans or shoes you've had for years that molded to you perfectly."

So far, the identity of the buyer has not been revealed -- but Rousey has made it very clear, she hopes the new owner isn't just some crazy wack job.

This is awesome.

Rapper Trinidad James -- the "All Gold Everything" guy -- offered himself up as a prop for a RIDICULOUS dunk at a celeb hoops game in L.A. this weekend ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

It all went down at the Sneaker Drive and Celebrity Basketball Game at Crenshaw High ... where stars like Nipsey Hussle, Hit Boy and Problem raised money for underprivileged kids.

But the highlight was when pro dunk specialist "Young Hollywood" asked James to be part of his dunk show ... and what happened next made the crowd go berserk!

Glory Johnson is 100% dedicated to raising her unborn child ... with or without Brittney Griner ... sources connected to the WNBA star tell TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... Griner filed court docs on Friday seeking to annul her 28 day marriage to Johnson -- just one day after Johnson announced that she was pregnant.

Now, as one well-connected source tells us ... "Glory loves kids and wants a family. Family is an important part of her life. There was never a question in her mind. She will be keeping the baby."

Our source adds, "This child's health is of the utmost importance to her."