TMZ Sports - Page 8

Kenny “The Jet” Smith is giving Chris Paul his flowers -- and already mapping out his next move!

TMZ Sports caught up with the "Inside The NBA" cohost over All-Star Weekend … and Smith didn’t hesitate when talking about CP3’s recent retirement from the NBA -- saying he has a résumé that speaks for itself.

“Chris Paul is one of the greatest point guards to ever play,” Smith tells us. “He deserves his retirement, he deserves his flowers. I've known him since high school, I’ve known him since Wake Forest. I'm excited for his next chapter in his career -- he's going to make a great NBA coach.”

Ex-Univ. of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro says he told the "idiots" at the NCAA to pay players a decade and a half ago ... and while he's pleased the day has finally come, he tells TMZ Sports it was long overdue!

Of course, Shapiro was at the center of a big NCAA scandal involving the Hurricanes football program, where he allegedly provided cash, gifts, and parties to players, and he was widely ridiculed.

Fast forward to today ... with an NIL policy that now allows athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness, we asked Shapiro if he'd consider working with college athletes once again.

9:01 PM PT -- The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement addressing Rondale Moore's death.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore. While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale's family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings."

"We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale's family and friends during this devastating time."

Vikes head coach Kevin O'Connell also expressed shock at the loss and sent condolences to Moore's family.

Rondale Moore, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and former second-round draft pick, died on Saturday, the local coroner confirmed.

He was only 25 years old.

The circumstances surrounding Moore's death are currently unknown.

Moore was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 49th overall pick in 2021 ... and played three seasons in AZ. In 2024, he was traded to Atlanta, but didn't appear in any games for the Falcons after sustaining an injury during training camp.

Prior to last season, Rondale signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, but again sustained a season-ending injury.

Before his time in the NFL, Moore starred at Purdue ... where he was one of the most explosive players in all college football.

As a freshman, he won the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football and the Paul Warfield Trophy, given to the nation's best receiver.

Moore was also named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

RM's coach, Jeff Brohm, released a statement addressing his late star player.

"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. we all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with."

Coach Brohn continued ... "We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much!!!"

R.I.P.

Tennis star Sloane Stephens says she and her husband, Jozy Altidore, are officially through ... announcing their split in a social media post Saturday.

Stephens -- who won the U.S. Open back in 2017 -- writes she is navigating the split with "mutual respect" ... and, she asks for privacy. She did not provide a reason for the divorce.

We've reviewed divorce documents which Stephens filed earlier this month in Florida ... in which she calls the marriage "irretrievably broken."

Ryan Garcia -- aka "King Ryan" -- was getting his pre-fight energy up backstage before the big weigh-in Friday night … with a little help from the undefeated David Benavidez.

TMZ Sports obtained video of the professional boxer backstage in Las Vegas for his anticipated weigh-in ... practicing some killer moves with Benavidez's young son and showing off some quick jabs, while keeping his focus razor-sharp.

Check the clip ... in true superstar fashion, Garcia and Benavidez are seen posing for a few photos in front of a giant Mexican flag -- showing his pride.

Bill Mazeroski -- Pittsburgh Pirates legend and Baseball Hall of Famer -- has died at the age of 89.

The Pirates issued a statement announcing his death on Saturday morning, saying, "It is with a heavy heart that we relay the news of the passing of legendary Pirates and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski."

The team continues to add ... "Maz was a 7-time All-Star who hit the greatest home run in baseball history. He was a beloved member of the Pirates family and he will be deeply missed."

Mazeroski devoted his entire 17-year MLB career to the Pittsburgh Pirates, signing with the team at just 17 in 1954. After spending two years in the minors, he was called up to the big leagues midway through the 1956 season.

'Real Housewives of Orange County' alum Meghan King accused her ex-husband Jim Edmonds of leaking her cell phone to sex workers to harass her years ago ... something she mentioned to cops while reporting recent harassing phone threats from an unknown person -- but a rep for Jim adamantly denies the claim.

According to a Kirkwood Police Department report, Meghan drove to the station in Missouri in September 2025 to report alleged threatening phone calls she'd been getting.

Meghan told an officer she'd been receiving consistent calls from an unknown person threatening to hurt her and her kids. Meghan claimed she was getting the calls for the past 2 months ... but said it had gotten increasingly worse over the prior 2 days. She told the officer the person had been making “crazed overt threats” and making less and less sense.

Tyreek Hill and Keeta Vaccaro's relationship is in the crapper, literally ... 'cause the bathroom has actually become a point of contention in the divorce case, with Cheetah's estranged wife asking a judge to force the NFL star to pay for repairs.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports, Vaccaro says the plumbing issue dates back to when the couple's marriage was still intact, but the repairs were never made.

Now, Vaccaro says the plumbing problem has gotten the attention of her building's management because it has apparently begun to damage "another units or units."

Anthony Hernandez says he's going to try and kill Sean Strickland, and the former champ's going to do the same thing to him ... as Fluffy prepares for the most important fight of his career!

32-year-old Hernandez chopped it up with Babcock this week before his clash with the 34-year-old fighter at UFC Fight Night on Saturday ... and, earmuffs, kids.

"I know we're both gonna try to kill each other and I'm okay with that," Fluffy said. "And I hope [fans] enjoy the show. That's all that matters, you know what I mean?"

Hernandez, the 4th-ranked fighter in the middleweight division, is in the midst of an 8-fight win streak ... last losing to Kevin Holland in 2020.

The Mahomes family playbook this week? Rides, cake and Peppa Pig.

Forget a bounce house ... Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Mahomes shut down Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth for daughter Sterling’s 5th birthday on Friday -- and we mean shut it down.

The park was closed to the public, giving the Mahomes crew full VIP treatment for the day. No lines. No crowds. Just Sterling, little bro Bronze and a handful of close family friends -- some of whom flew into Texas just for the celebration.

The fam even posed for a sweet portrait right at the park’s entrance before diving into the fun.

Olympic hockey continues to draw serious star power at the 2026 Winter Olympics ... and Friday's showdown between Canada and Finland was no exception -- as Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky watched the action from the same box in Milan!

The football and hockey G.O.A.T.s took in the game as Team Canada rallied from 2 goals down to defeat Finland in OT, advancing to the Gold medal game against the United States.

For Gretzky -- a native of Brantford, Canada -- it was anything but smooth sailing ... as he was visibly stressed watching his fellow Canucks secure their spot in Sunday's finale.

It was a dangerous day at the Winter Olympics, marked by several scary accidents -- including Polish skater Kamila Sellier taking a blade to the face during her race, forcing her to withdraw from the competition with a gruesome injury.

The frightening moment was caught on live broadcast ... showing Sellier competing in the women's 1500 meters at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Sellier -- a two-time World Championship medalist -- fell to the ice during the race when the blade of Team USA's Kristen Santos-Griswold struck her face inadvertently with her skate. The blade sliced right across Sellier's left eye, leaving a gash. Thankfully, she was wearing safety goggles, which probably saved her eye.

If Shilo Sanders were currently on an NFL team, he most certainly would be listed on the injury report with soreness ... 'cause Deion Sanders' middle son took a HARD fall while snowboarding -- and it was all caught on video.

The 26-year-old uploaded a new video to YouTube titled "I Almost Ended My Career Snowboarding" -- and when you see the fall, you can't blame him for thinking that.

He hit the first pipe with relative ease (impressive!) ... but when he attempted to hit a move on the second rail, he fell hard onto the object in the middle of the slope.

"I'm done, bro," Sanders said. "I'm done."

"You know what happened, I hit the front lip. It didn't hurt that bad, I just fell on the rail. It looked worse than it was.

He wasn't joking about it being his last run either ... as the video then cuts to him at the bottom of the hill -- before they head back to the hotel.

Once back at the hotel, you see his knee was a little swollen after the day out on the slopes.

Jake Paul and his fiancée Jutta Leerdam didn't get much time to celebrate her gold and silver Olympic medals after touching back down in the United States ... 'cause the Problem Child was forced to undergo another surgery on his jaw following his brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.

Paul shared the news on Instagram, explaining he was put under the knife after "the screws and plates were coming loose because apparently I didn’t rest for the past 2 months."

JP wasn't alone as he made his way around the hospital halls, as Leerdam was by his side after the procedure.

Jake also included some crazy AI videos with the post.

The injury will certainly push back any potential return plans for Paul ... who will be looking to bounce back after just his second loss as a pro.

The 29-year-old had his first surgery on Dec. 20 ... the day after his bout against Joshua, when he required two titanium plates inserted around his jaw. It also cost him a couple of teeth.

The serious injury didn't slow Paul down ... we spotted him at a post-fight party thrown by Celebrity Sports Entertainment at a private mansion in Miami, though Paul understandably wasn't doing a lot of talking.

It’s been a brutal few days for Lindsey Vonn … and she’s not sugarcoating it.

The three-time Olympic medalist shared updates from her hospital bed on Friday after undergoing a marathon surgery following her terrifying crash at the 2026 Winter Games -- and it was no small procedure.

“Made it through surgery … it took a bit more than 6 hours to complete,” Vonn said in an Instagram post. “As you can see, it required a lot of plates and screws to put back together but Dr. Hackett did an incredible job.”

She further detailed just how tough the recovery has been -- now having undergone at least five surgeries since the February 8 accident.

Former NFL player Keith Gray was found guilty of orchestrating a massive $328 million fraud scheme ... with the former UCONN captain being convicted this week on nine counts in federal court.

The Department of Justice shared news of the verdict Friday morning, saying Gray was the mastermind of a scheme to bill Medicare for "unnecessary genetic tests designed to evaluate the risk of various cardiovascular diseases and conditions."

In reality, the DOJ says there was no medical need for the tests ... but Gray kept billing Medicare, to the tune of an astounding $328 million, which resulted in a return of around $54 million from the government agency.