Diddy’s son defends acceptance of UCLA football scholarship

Justin Combs, son of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, took to Twitter this week to defend his full scholarship to UCLA, which the school has confirmed. Many in cyberspace are questioning whether the multimillionaire's son should have accepted the $54,000 football scholarship, given the school's economic troubles.

Should Allen Iverson return to the NBA?

by Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley
NNPA News Service

Allen Iverson (Courtesy photo)On the heels of Allen Iverson's heartfelt return to the Philadelphia 76ers home playoff game against the Boston Celtics for Game Six, the conversation started. Iverson, a perennial All Pro guard, didn't exit the National Basketball Association (NBA) the way he or anyone would've preferred. As he introduced the game ball to a standing ovation in front of the 76ers crowd, talk of a possible return to the league for Iverson surfaced among anyone watching.

Sports weekend to honor LOC’s Coach Johnson

The Memphis Alumni Chapter of The LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) will host its JCJ Sports Weekend honoring Coach Jerry C. Johnson on June 14 through June 16.

Johnson served as head basketball coach and athletic director at the college for 46 years.

A field of dreams back in play at Jesse Turner Park

The Tri-State Youth Baseball Academy is determined to “reinvigorate” the game in the community surrounding what once was Bellevue Park.The baseball park at Bellevue and South Parkway now is operating under the auspices of the Tri-State Youth Baseball Academy, which is off and running with a 20-year, cost-free lease approved by the Memphis City Council in February.

Opening day was last Saturday (May 19), with about 600 people making their way to Jesse Turner Park.

Golfer Zakiya Randall is not up to par

There is no missing Zakiya Randall on a golf course. (Photo via www.golfchannel.com)by Raynard Jackson
NNPA News Service

Former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, once said, "To every man there comes a time when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a great and mighty work; unique to him and fitted to his talents; what a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the moment that could be his finest hour."

‘Next year’ came too soon for the Grizz and fans

Memphis fans wanted to believe that the Grizzlies could make franchise history and move into the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive year. Late in the fourth quarter, the faithful among 18,119 fans stood and held up the gold "Believe Memphis" growl towels strategically placed in each seat before the game. The song "Don't Stop Believing" sounded throughout FedExForum. The Grizzlies were down by six.

And that's pretty much how that part of the story ends.

Crossover City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to benefit Special Olympics

The inspiration came from a news story that aired on WMC-TV in February. The story highlighted Tony Payne, a Memphis Special Olympics athlete selected by the NBA to play with current NBA All Stars and past NBA legends in the first NBA Cares/Special Olympics Unity Sports Basketball Game in Orlando, Fla.

James wins third MVP amid debate

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has made Miami Heat forward LeBron James just the eighth player in league history to win a third Most Valuable Player trophy, placing him in elite company.

In a flash – it’s over!

West Tennessee’s Middle School Track & Field sectional (state) championships played out at Halle Stadium last week (May 3), with some of the area’s best competing for supremacy.

Game 5: Survival fits the Grizzlies

Playing hard and not giving up kept the Memphis Grizzlies alive in a win or season-over NBA Playoffs thriller at the FedExForum on Wednesday night.

Runnin’ & jumpin’ like the wind

Ronnie Perry Sr. & Ronnie Perry Jr. The best of what Memphis and Shelby County has to offer in middle school track & field was on display during the MIAA City Championships last week.

Game 2 rings sweeter for the Grizzlies

O.J. Mayo scores over Mo Williams of the Clippers. The Grizzlies bounced back and defeated the Clippers 105-98 (Photo by Warren Roseborough)

Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Lionel Hollins walked onto the FedExForum floor wearing the Portland Trailblazers championship ring that he earned in his second year in the league.