VIDEO: WATCH JUSTIN TUCK INTERVIEW

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

What's The 411's Crystal Lynn spoke with New York Giants Defensive End, Justin Tuck, about the genesis of R.U.S.H for Literacy and his relationship with books as a young child. Tuck also told Crystal Lynn that he and his wife are expecting their second son.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Justin Tuck, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; former New York Knicks Guard Jason Kidd;actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

WATCH VIDEO: Anthony Anderson

Actor, comedian, and writer, Anthony Anderson took a moment during the blistering heat to talk with What's The 411's Crystal Lynn about why he is supporting Justin Tuck's, R.U.S.H for Literacy Celebrity Billiards Tournament.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Anthony Anderson, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; actress and television producer, Vivica A. Fox; former NBA Basketball Player, Jason Kidd; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; professional pool player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

Professional Pool Player, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee, stopped to chat with What's The 411's Crystal Lynn on the red carpet at New York Giants Justin Tuck's, annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament.

Jeanette shows off her BCBG apparel and mentions that she has six children. Both she and Justin Tuck each have spirited three-year-olds and they regularly trade parenting stories. Justin Tuck and his wife are expecting their second son any day now.

New York Giants' Justin Tuck hosted his annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament presented by RXR, a leading New York Tri-State real estate operating company, on Thursday, May 30 at Slate NYC.

The event has been a popular fundraiser in Manhattan for the past four years. More than 35 celebrities were expected to take part in a single elimination 8 ball tournament, emceed by well-known actor Anthony Anderson, in which the winner will receive the Grand Prize Luxury Package that will benefit Tuck's R.U.S.H for Literacy and the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Tuck, a Defensive End for the New York Giants, started his R.U.S.H for Literacy (Read. Understand. Succeed. Hope.) charity in 2008 in hopes of providing children with the necessary resources to improve their reading skills. Thus far, 10,000 students in the Tri-State and Central Alabama communities have received new books and other materials. The Tucks have donated over 55,000 books and raised over $1.5 million dollars since the charity's inception. They have also supported other non-profit organization by donating over $150,000 in grants. This year $25,000 of the Celebrity Billiards' net proceeds will be going to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund as well.

In addition to Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee, other celebrities that What's The 411 caught up with at Justin Tuck's Celebrity Billiard's Tournament included: Justin Tuck; Vivica A. Fox; Jason Kidd; Meeka Claxton, wife of Craig "Speedy" Claxton and former star of VH1's Basketball Wives; former New York Knicks Guard John Starks; and Jared Fogle (better known as Jared the subway guy).

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has re-signed guard Pablo Prigioni to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Prigioni, 6-3, 185-pounds, was the first Argentine-born player in Knicks history and made his NBA debut at age 35 after signing as a free agent on Jul. 24, 2012. He averaged 3.5 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds over 16.2 minutes in 78 games (18 starts) this past season and was inserted into the Knicks starting lineup on Mar. 18 to help lead the team to the franchise's third-longest winning streak of 13. In 11 postseason games (10 starts), Prigioni averaged 4.5 points, 3.2 assists and 1.27 steals over 20.9 minutes.

"We are very excited to have Pablo back in a Knicks uniform. He is one of our catalysts on both the offensive and defensive end," Grunwald said. "His tenacity, leadership and experience played an integral role in our team's success down the stretch, and into the postseason."

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has acquired forward/center Andrea Bargnani from Toronto in exchange for center Marcus Camby, forward Steve Novak, guard/forward Quentin Richardson (via sign-and-trade), a first-round draft selection in the 2016 NBA Draft and second-round selections in 2014 and 2017.

“Seven-foot versatile players with a good mid-range offensive game and an ability to stretch the other team’s defense are hard to come by in this league,” Grunwald said. “Andrea has proven to be a quality scorer who adds another dimension to our team. We are excited to add him to our frontline.”

Bargnani, 7-0, 256-pounds, was selected No. 1 overall by Toronto in the 2006 NBA Draft, and after seven seasons with the Raptors, ranks third on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 6,581 points, second in three-point field goals (579) and fourth in games played (418). He holds career averages of 15.2 points, on 43.7-percent shooting from the field, and 4.8 rebounds over 30.3 minutes in 433 games (316 starts). Bargnani posted a career-best 41 points, and added seven rebounds and six assists, versus the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 8, 2010.

“Andrea has great size and can create huge match-up problems for our opponents,” Head Coach Mike Woodson said. “He can score both inside and out. He will be a great complement to Carmelo, Tyson and Amar’e.”

The native of Rome, Italy, averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 28.7 minutes in 35 games during the 2012-13 season. Although Bargnani missed 46 games due to injury/illness, he scored in double-digits 11 times, reached the 20-point plateau eight times and scored a season-high 34 points on Nov. 23, 2012, at Detroit.

Camby, 6-11, 245-pounds, appeared in 24 games (four starts) for New York during the 2012-13 season – his second tenure with the Knicks. He averaged 1.8 points and 3.3 rebounds and being acquired from Portland, via sign-and-trade, on Jul. 11, 2012.

Novak, 6-10, 225-pounds, averaged 6.6 points, on 41.4-percent shooting from the field and 42.5-percent from three-point range, over 81 games (one start) during the 2012-13 season – his second season with the Knicks. He was claimed off waivers from San Antonio on Dec. 21, 2012.

Richardson, 6-6, 220-pounds, appeared in one game for the Knicks during the 2012-13 season – his second tenure with New York. He signed as a free agent on Apr. 16, 2013.

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has re-signed guard J.R. Smith to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Smith, 6-6, 220-pounds, became just the third player in franchise history to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award (joining Anthony Mason and John Starks) by averaging a career-high 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 33.5 minutes in 80 games off the bench last season. He earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the period ending Mar. 31, after posting three consecutive 30-point efforts off the bench, becoming the first NBA player to accomplish the feat in over 23 years.

"Re-signing J.R. was one of our primary goals this offseason and we are thrilled to have him back," Grunwald said. "He made great strides this past season with his consistent play off the bench for us, and we look forward to his continued growth."

The Freehold, NJ-native originally signed with New York as a free agent on Feb. 17, 2012, and then re-signed on Jul. 11, 2012. He holds career averages of 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 25.4 minutes in 618 games (130 starts) over nine seasons with New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Denver and New York.

New York Knickerbockers Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has re-signed forward Kenyon Martin. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Martin, 6-9, 230-pounds, averaged 7.2 points, on 60.2-percent shooting, and 5.3 rebounds over 23.9 minutes in 18 games (11 starts) with New York this past season. In 12 post-season games (one start), he averaged 5.8 points, on 58.0-percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 1.42 blocks over 21.1 minutes. He originally signed the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts on Feb. 23, 2013, and then, for the remainder of the season on Mar. 15.

“Kenyon did a fantastic job for us once he signed in February,” Grunwald said. “He strengthened our frontline going into an important stretch of the season with some very impressive performances. We are happy to have him back.”

The Saginaw, MI-native, holds career averages of 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 31.4 minutes in 13 seasons with New Jersey, Denver, the L.A. Clippers and New York. In 112 postseason games (88 starts), he has averaged 12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 32.1 minutes. He was selected by New Jersey, following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati, with the first overall pick of 2000 NBA Draft. Martin was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2001 and represented the Eastern Conference at the 2004 NBA All-Star Game.

Brooklyn Nets forward Tornike Shengelia will undergo surgery on Wednesday, July 31, to repair a damaged meniscus in his left knee, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

A further medical update will be issued following surgery.

In his rookie season, Shengelia, a native of Georgia, appeared in 19 games for Brooklyn, averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.9 minutes per game.

On August 2, 2013, at 7 p.m., the legendary Monsignor Kett Playground aka Dyckman, was the place to be for the women's basketball tournament, She Got Game 2. Sports fans, neighborhood residents, and celebrated men and women streetball basketball players came out to support the Ladies of Dyckman, organized by Sharon Bond; hosted by Steph Lova of Power 105.1 and Gossip Game; with MC, Chocolate, keeping it all the way live.

Power 105.1 DJ and Gossip Game's Steph Lova

With much anticipation, the ladies came on the court and played hard for 40 minutes. The two teams played hard, scoring laying ups, jump shots, and falling but not stopping. They ran up and down the court with speed and got the crowd hyped in the bleachers. A fast-paced game, and the enthusiastic commentator, Chocolate, kept everyone engaged! At halftime, the crowd was entertained by the Hoop Girlz Dancers who kept the liveliness going until the second half began.

Hoop Girlz Dancers

The game was close but a lead opened up as the burgundy team had scored many consecutive shots and succeeded in stealing the ball while the white team continued to struggle. Although the white team tried several times to come back, the burgundy team managed to keep their lead. At the end of the second period, the burgundy team won with a score of 49-39.

While women's sports do not get as much recognition as men's, it was a beautiful sight to see all of the supporters of these young women. Sharon Bond, Marketing and P.R. Manager of Dyckman, made it all possible. This park is home to men's street ball tournaments and when Ms. Bond took her position as manager, she added to the list a women's tournament, giving opportunities for young women to show that they, too, have game. 

What's The 411TV correspondent, Crystal Lynn interviewing Sharon Bond, Marketing and P.R. Manager of Dyckman

Additionally, What's The 411TV caught up with commentator Chocolate, tattoo artist Dutchess, and And 1 urban legend street ball player Tim 'Headache' Gitten to get their views and comments about the Dyckman Ladies and the game in general.

Crystal Lynn talking with Chocolate the MC of the evening.

Photo Credits: Alexis Williams/What's The 411 Networks

Glen Grunwald Stays on with the New York Knicks as an Advisor

The New York Knickerbockers announced today that Steve Mills, who previously served as a key executive with the Knicks for 10 years, has been named the team's president and general manager. Mills replaces Glen Grunwald, who will remain with the organization as an advisor.

"I am pleased to be able to welcome Steve back to the Knicks. He is a well-respected sports executive with a strong background in basketball, as well as a familiarity with NBA operations and our company. We look forward to his leadership and believe he is the right person to help us reach our ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship," said James Dolan, executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company.

"We are grateful for Glen's many years of valuable service and pleased that he will remain with the organization," Dolan added.

A 30-year veteran of the sports world, Mills' career has included 16 years with the National Basketball Association, where his talents led to a notable ascent from account executive to senior vice president of basketball and player development. This was followed by 10 years at The Madison Square Garden Company, where Mills had a wide range of responsibilities that included overseeing business and basketball operations for the Knicks and Liberty, along with business operations for the Rangers and for all other sports-related activities at The Garden.

"I want to thank Jim for this opportunity to return to the Knicks in this important position. It is an honor and a privilege to work for such a storied franchise and I look forward to doing whatever it takes to make the Knicks a successful franchise and a team that fans can be proud of, both now and in the future," Mills stated.

After 10 years with the Toronto Raptors, Grunwald has been with the Knicks in various capacities since 2006 and will continue to work with the organization as an advisor.

Mills' decade-long career at The Madison Square Garden Company included his role as president of MSG Sports, during which he oversaw all business operations, including marketing and community relations, for the company's three professional sports teams and Sports Properties, which included college basketball, boxing, and track and field. Steve originally joined the Knicks as executive vice president of franchise operations in September 1999 and became president of sports teams operations for Madison Square Garden in 2001.

Prior to his move to The Garden, Mills played an integral role in the development of the National Basketball Association, where he held several positions with increasing responsibility, including his last role as senior vice president, basketball and player development. His responsibilities included managing the league's relationships with all domestic and international basketball organizations, including the NCAA and USA Basketball, as well as overseeing the NBA's developmental programs and player initiatives during one of the most critical periods in league history. Mills also played a key role in the creation of the Women's National Basketball Association and served on the team responsible for the negotiation of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Mr. Mills started his career with the NBA in 1983 as an account executive in the corporate sponsorship department of NBA Properties.

Before returning to MSG, Mills most recently served as partner and CEO of Athletes & Entertainers Wealth Management Group, LLC, a company he created in 2010 that links sports and entertainment stars with investment and management leaders to create new business opportunities.

An accomplished collegiate basketball player, Mills started three seasons at guard for Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carril at Princeton University, where he helped lead the Tigers to two Ivy League first-place finishes, including the league title and a NCAA berth in 1981. He also played professionally for one season in South America in 1981.

Mills earned a degree in sociology from Princeton in 1981 and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Board of Directors for USA Basketball. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Princeton Varsity Club and on the Advisory Board for Manhattan's Hospital for Special Surgery. Mr. Mills and his wife Beverly have two daughters and reside in South Orange, NJ.