Troubled Bengal is close to return

Despite a four-game suspension and five arrests in three years, the Cincinnati Bengals are close to signing a deal that would reunite them with wide receiver Chris Henry. Why the sudden interest in Henry? For answers, go to Playa Hater.

USA enters hoops quarter-finals Wednesday. The USA men’s basketball squad begins its final chase for gold medals tomorrow at the Beijing Olympics. Having beaten Germany this week, the American “Redeem Team” takes on Australia. Quarter-finals begin the determination of which remaining teams will receive bronze, silver or gold medals in the elimination match-ups. Team member LeBron James, who scored 18 points in the win over Germany, has guaranteed a gold for the USA.

Shawn Kemp to ball overseas. Former NBA scoring threat Shawn Kemp has announced that he’ll play in Italy beginning in November. “I am happy that a player that has made basketball history would come to Montegranaro,” says coach Alessandro Finelli, of team Pemiata Montegranaro. Kemp, 38, played most of his NBA career with Seattle , averaging 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds over 14 total seasons. He last played in the NBA in 2003

Rapper still denies CO past as Web site offers more proof

Fellow Miami MC Trick Daddy may have let Rick Ross off the hook by saying rumors of Ross’ prison guard past don’t matter. But The Smoking Gun Web site hasn’t let up. The popular investigative Web site has offered what appears to be irrefutable proof that Ross’ denials of having worked as a Florida correctional officer are outright lies. Though Ross recently defended his outlaw image and street-influenced rhymes on a Phoenix radio show, stating “One of my closest homies was on ‘ America ’s Most Wanted,’” The Smoking Gun reports that Ross once got a perfect attendance award for his prison guard work. Among other documents in the Web site’s 86-page acquisition of the rapper’s personnel file are contact information listings for his mother and sister – whose names appear, identically, on Ross’ CD liner notes. Additionally, the file shows a 1997 resignation letter from William Leonard Roberts, who borrowed his Rick Ross stage name from a once-notorious L.A. dope dealer.

Nelly is recruited as new model for Sean John

Rapper Nelly now has not only his own line of blue jeans for women, but he’s modeling men’s clothes, too. The sculpted, shirtless performer’s image was splattered all over the Web and featured on Fox’s Tuesday “Wendy Williams Show” as he appeared with pants hanging slightly below a Sean John underwear waistband. “To me, Nelly is the quintessential definition of the Sean John man,” says the fashion line’s founder, Sean “Diddy” Combs. “He has the attitude, the swagger and, most of all, the physique that our customers can both aspire and relate to. And let’s be honest, all of the ladies out there are going to be thanking us for this campaign.”

Woman who claimed pregnancy by Chris Rock not done yet
Negative test results may have damaged her credibility, but a Georgia woman says she’ll write a book about her alleged affair and disproven, alleged pregnancy by comedian Chris Rock. Lawyers for the comedian say there’s no reason to pay the planned book – or its writer – any attention. “There is a final judgment. This is not Chris Rock’s child,” one attorney for the star says. “It’s been fully litigated, and that includes DNA testing.”

LeBron James could be a step slower in Beijing.
LeBron James could be a step slower in the Beijing Olympics, depending on how quickly he recovers from an ankle sprain. James suffered the injury during a Team USA practice in Las Vegas this week when he landed on player Kevin Durant’s foot during a scrimmage. It’s believed that the sprain is mild, says coach Mike Krzyewski. Trainers planned to check out the ankle, but Krzyewski says it’s not likely to be “anything serious.”

Receiver won’t wear Bengals jersey again
NFL coach Marvin Lewis says there’s no way released receiver Chris Henry will return to the team after his league suspension for player misconduct. “I’m not interested,” Lewis says. “I don’t think it would be productive for our football team. You have to be a productive part to be an NFL player, and there’re responsibilities to being an NFL player. It’s a privilege, it’s not a right. There’s a lot that comes with being an NFL football player.” Henry, 25, was most recently accused of punching a University of Cincinnati student and breaking his car window. The case was eventually dropped.

Star-studded line-up in Africa runs short on stars

Music and fashion celebrities including local performers, Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford, were slated to appear at last week’s “ThisDay Music and Fashion Festival” to help bring attention to Nigeria’s tourism industry. But only Rihanna, Jay-Z and Usher performed at the first night of the event, despite fans having paid as much as $508 per ticket for a star-studded line-up. Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown and rapper Fat Joe appeared before the event’s conclusion.

Laurence Fishburne could join the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”

The man who played such popular film characters as The Matrix’s Morpheus and Boyz N the Hood’s Furious Styles could soon become a TV crime investigator. Laurence Fishburne is a front-runner, along with John Malkovich, for a role on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Fishburne could replace William Petersen, who’s set to leave the show this season.

Coolio helps youth understand the environment
Grammy-winning rapper Coolio has joined the Environmental Justice and Climate Change organization, helping to raise awareness of global warming among HBCU students. Teaming up with jazz saxophonist Jarez, the West Coast performer will be a part of a sustained campaign to increase stewardship in the Black community. The campaign’s focus is on recruiting a “diverse group of African American youth in the fight for climate justice,” a spokesman says.