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No one seems to know the location of Zion Williamson's infamous blown-out Nike sneaker -- not Zion, not Duke, not even Nike ... and it's a huge problem considering it's worth around $250,000!!!

Of course, Zion exploded his left PG 2.5 PE sneaker during the Feb. 20 game against North Carolina -- injuring his knee in the process. Thankfully, he's better now.

But, what happened next? Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has said Nike reps came out to Durham and inspected the shoe in hopes of identifying the problem. But, it's unclear who has the shoe now.

So, when we spotted Zion and his Duke teammates in Washington, D.C. the other day, we asked the 18-year-old straight up ... who's got the shoe?

Zion smiled and told us, "Uh, ask coach about 'em."

So, we did! We hit up the Duke athletic dept., and a rep told us they have no idea where the shoes ended up.

Next call was to Nike -- maybe they have the shoe, right?

A Nike spokesperson told us ... “We’re thrilled to see Zion returning to the court. After working closely with the Duke Basketball team to examine the issue, we are confident this was an isolated incident. We continue to work with Duke, and all of our partner programs, to ensure we are providing the best product for their athletes.”

When we again asked who currently possessed the busted sneaker, Nike told us ... "I don't have any more information [on the location of the shoe]."

WHY HAS THIS BECOME SUCH A MYSTERY?!!

Our next call was to Ken Goldin from Goldin Auctions -- one of the leading sellers of sports memorabilia in the world. He just sold some of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's prized mementos for almost $3 MILLION!

Ken told us the shoes are INSANELY collectible -- and could fetch more than $250,000 on the open market!!

In fact, Ken believes the blown out shoe plus the matching intact sneaker are "the most famous pair of sneakers in the world, period. End of story."

A piece of Beatles history is up for grabs, but it's so old -- or vintage -- it goes by a different name.

If ya don't know ... John Lennon's first band wasn't The Beatles, it was The Quarry Men. He formed the group in 1956, later added Paul McCartney and George Harrison ... then made their famous name change in 1960.

Before that, though, the lads from Liverpool printed out business cards for The Quarry Men and an original -- one of just a few known to exist -- is up for sale. That's the good news. The bad news is ... baby, you'll need to be a rich man (or woman) to afford it.

The roughly 3.5 x 2-inch piece of paper and rock 'n' roll history is going for $32,500.

As for the card's origin story ... a collector bought it from a woman living in a Liverpool suburb 30 years ago. She sold off a bunch of membership cards and tickets she'd collected from her days hitting the clubs there in the late '50s and '60s.

The card's been down a long and winding road -- it's a little worn with some creases and stains, but that's part of its charm.

Lil Uzi Vert is stewing over his record deal with Generation Now ... he thinks he's not getting his fair shake, and he wants to hammer out a new contract.

A source familiar with his current deal tells TMZ ... the rapper's being exploited because the contract allows little room for growth and doesn't do enough for his bottom line.

We're told Generation Now is supposed to cover Lil Uzi's studio time and recordings, but the label's refusing to pony up -- so he's being forced to seek financial assistance from people close to him. Sounds like an awkward conversation.

We got one of his rap buddies, Nav, out in NYC this week, and he told us Uzi's gotta fix his situation so they can drop new music.

Lil Uzi's serious about getting out from under his contract ... we're told his side proposed an amended deal, one that's more fair and balanced for the artist. As you might expect, the label is pushing back.

However, another source tells us Generation Now isn't holding up the release of Uzi's upcoming album, "Eternal Atake," and they're definitely NOT exploiting him -- they claim he's been in full control of the project from the jump.

As the label sees it ... Uzi has a production budget for the album and he's been recording in Philadelphia for a while, but hasn't shared any of his work -- making it difficult for the label to set release dates, or figure out marketing and promotion plans.

Financial woes aren't the only problems for Lil Uzi ... his latest single, "Free Uzi," was just yanked from streaming services over licensing issues.

While it sounds like the standoff's getting worse, we're told both sides still hope to meet in the middle.

Jay Glazer gets hit a lot at his MMA gym -- whether it's UFC stars or big name actors, dude gets beat up all the freakin' time ... but who hits the HARDEST??

Star-Lord!!!!

That's right ... Chris Pratt's got the power that'll knock anybody out, so says the Unbreakable Gym owner ... who tells TMZ Sports Pratt straight-up hits harder than the Natural.

"It sucks getting hit by Chris Pratt more than it sucks getting hit by Randy Couture."

UMMM ... HAVE YOU SEEN RANDY COUTURE FIGHT?!?

FYI -- Couture is one bad dude ... he's got a 19-11 record and has 7 knockouts under his belt. Oh, and was a 3-time UFC heavyweight champion!!!

So ... does this mean CP will ditch Hollywood for the Octagon?? Not so fast ...

"He's too busy being happily engaged and pretty."

BONUS -- we also got an update on that tooth Demi Lovato knocked out of Glazer's grill a couple weeks ago ... and super glue really does fix everything!! (We sure hope he's kidding).

Rita Ora is totally down for a night on the town with hunky Russian 'Bachelor' Alex Sparrow, but there's a huge problem ... her manager is standing in the way.

Alex -- a textbook thirst trap who also won the Russian version of 'X Factor' -- says on the "Hidden Truth Show with Jim Breslo" he met Rita a couple of months ago at the American Music Awards, where he asked her out. According to Alex, Rita said yes, but he's still waiting for their big date.

The holdup ... Alex didn't ask for Rita's digits -- he wanted to be respectful, so he got her manager's number instead, and now there's been nothing but radio silence.

Alex is shooting his shot once again ... he's hoping Rita's management team catches wind and hits him up to facilitate the date.

It's easy to see why Rita would go out with Alex ... on top of his dashing good looks, he's a star in Russia, with 3.7 million Instagram followers and millions of views on his YouTube music vids.

Celine Dion's voice is the second most beautiful thing about her!

Here's a 19-year-old version of the "My Heart Will Go On" singer rockin' brunette waves back in 1987 (left) and 32 years later ... the glammed up gal -- who just turned 51 years old this weekend -- looking her best self at a fashion show in Paris earlier this year (right).

That's the way it is!

The question is ...

5:55 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the alleged victim told cops Porzingis pinned her down on a bed in his guest room, penetrated her vagina with his penis and then got violent.

The woman told cops he hit her in the face several times, spit on her, called her "my bitch" and "my slave" and said he owned her. We're told the accuser claims he stopped assaulting her as she was putting up a fight.

Former New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is the target of an NYPD investigation after a woman came forward and accused him of rape ... TMZ has learned.

The woman claims Porzingis invited her to his Manhattan penthouse on February 7, 2018 -- just hours after he tore his ACL in a game at the Garden against the Bucks -- and held her down and raped her.

According to the New York Post ... the woman -- who's in her 20s and lived in the same building as Porzingis -- reported the rape to police Thursday ... and The Post claims investigators consider her story to be credible.

The accuser reportedly told cops Porzingis promised to give her $68,000 in hush money to pay for her brother’s college tuition, but then reneged ... which is why she waited to report the alleged sexual assault.

Porzingis was traded by the Knicks to the Dallas Mavericks in February. Mavs owner Mark Cuban says the team has been instructed by federal authorities not to comment on the rape allegation.

The NYPD’s Special Victims Division has reportedly taken over the case and is investigating.

We've reached out to Porzingis and his current and former teams ... no word back so far.

However, the player's attorney Roland G. Riopelle says they are aware of the woman's complaint and "unequivocally deny the allegations."

Lori Loughlin says you can follow her around all day ... her lips are sealed about her college bribery case.

The "Fuller House" star was leaving a yoga session in Brentwood Saturday when the paps hit her up with some questions about her alleged involvement in the scandal ... and if she's fearing prison time.

Lori was polite but firm -- she ain't talking. She did seem like she genuinely appreciated the camera guy wishing her well, though ... she even called him "honey."

As you know ... Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were among the parents indicted for allegedly paying bribes to get their kids into prestigious schools like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, UCLA and USC. Felicity Huffman was also charged.

Loughlin's daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, have both left USC in wake of the scandal and have reportedly been keeping a low profile at the family pad in Bel-Air.

Lori and Mossimo were recently spotted together in Orange County looking very pensive about the days ahead. They face the judge in a court hearing next week.

Marshmello's party on the water got interrupted by a boat inspection, but everything was found to be shipshape ... so the fun continued.

The U.S. Coast Guard tells TMZ ... investigators conducted a random safety inspection of the legendary DJ's boat, which was parked near the Ultra Music Festival in Miami Friday night.

We're told the Coast Guard boarded the boat to make sure the captain had a proper license and all safety measures were fully operational ... and everything checked out.

The Coast Guard says Marshmello was on board the party vessel when the investigators arrived but left once everything was copacetic so he could get to his set at the festival.

Jordyn Woods chowed down in London Friday, as two families broke ties in the wake of her cheating scandal.

Jordyn was clearly seeking out cameras ... her choice of restaurants was a tried-and-true paparazzi hangout -- Mr Chow.

She was dressed for attention in all leather as she grinned for all to see.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch -- aka Calabasas -- it appears Jordyn's cheating scandal has ruptured the once-deep relationship between Jada Pinkett Smith and Kris Jenner, and Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Jada unfollowed them Friday, and we're told it's all over the Kardashian's strong reaction to Jordyn's hookup with Tristan Thompson.

As you know, Jordyn appeared on Jada's "Red Table Talk," where she talked about Tristan, cheating, etc. Jada and Jordyn are like fam, and it's clear Jada wasn't buying into the rage the Kardashians felt over the scandal.

The final straw seemed to be the promo for the upcoming season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

Mind you ... the Pinkett Smiths and the Kardashians were super close over many years. Jada was especially tight with Kris -- they even vacationed together.

The Jussie Smollett saga might be over for the Osundairo brothers -- but they're just getting started on their fitness business ... which is apparently skyrocketing.

Sources close to Abel and Ola tell TMZ ... the brothers' training regiment is a hot commodity in the wake of the Jussie scandal, which ended with the actor getting off scot-free this week. We're told hundreds of people have been hitting them up for training and diet plans.

Ironic, really, considering that's exactly what they were doing for Jussie before things went awry.

Business must actually be doing pretty well considering they're now advertising a new "Team Abel" fitness package on their social media pages. The basic purchase will run ya $30 for a workout plan -- does NOT include personal training. The premium plan will cost folks just $20 more ... and it gets you a lot, including a diet program, strength training, power training, shred training and a 4-week meal plan.

No word on whether personal training costs $3,500 ...

Getting on-board could be worth your while -- in case you haven't noticed, these dudes are completely shredded (and athletic). So, obviously, they know a thing or two when it comes to fitness.

The bigger -- and unanswered -- question more people probably care about at this point, though, is whether they'll break their silence on how the Jussie case shook out in Chi-town.

We're told they will speak on it in the near future ... but no word on an exact date yet, or if there's a price tag attached.

Stay tuned ...

Charles Barkley has never been shy sharing his opinions -- especially about LaVar Ball -- and he's blasting the Big Baller dad once again ... claiming he is stealing Lonzo's spotlight.

We got Chuck outside CBS Studios in NYC Friday night ... and he was riding high following his alma mater Auburn's win over North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

He was signing autographs (but ONLY one each) and reveling in the victory -- including winning a bet with Stephen Colbert -- when we asked about the Ball family issues with Big Baller Brand.

Barkley tells us ... "[Lonzo's] dad is really unfortunate ... this whole thing has been about him from the beginning. You shouldn't try to piggyback on your kids, man. That ain't cool at all."

Charles adds it's Lonzo's time and LaVar needs to let him shine ... and go out and sign with a much better shoe company.

As we reported ... Lonzo's ditched the BBB, or at least his tattoo promoting it, but his dad claims the brand is still alive -- it just got bit by a snake.

The prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case threw shade at the Mayor of Chicago and the Police Superintendent as she bizarrely tried to explain her decision to cut the actor loose from the justice system.

Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx wrote an op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune, in which she says the case against Smollett was not a slam dunk. Foxx is clearly pointing the finger at Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who came out strongly in a news conference after Smollett was charged, saying the evidence was clear -- Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to stage an "attack."

Foxx says, "For a variety of reasons, including public statements made about the evidence in this case, my office believed the likelihood of securing a conviction was not certain." She doesn't explain how those public statements would affect the case.

Foxx goes on to diminish the alleged crimes, saying Smollett was charged with a low-level felony, "The least serious category, which also covers things like falsely pulling a fire alarm in school and 'draft card mutilation.'" So, Foxx is comparing filing a false police report and falsely alleging a hate crime is like pulling a fire alarm.

She says, "These felonies are routinely resolved, particularly in cases involving suspects with no prior criminal record, long before a case ever nears a courtroom and often without either jail time or monetary penalties." What she's not telling you ... the way these cases are typically resolved is with a plea bargain ... and not outright dismissal. Remember, Jussie did no formal community service.

She then goes after Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent Johnson, saying, "Any law-enforcement leader or elected official not grandstanding or clouded by political expediency understands the purpose of sentencing guidelines." NOTE: Smollett was not sentenced. He was let go.

Darlene Love, one of the greatest singers EVER, thinks anyone who wants to yank Michael Jackson out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame should have their head examined, "because music is music."

We got Love outside the Barclays Center Friday night, where Stevie Nicks became the first woman to ever be twice inducted. Darlene couldn't be happier and says it's a sign the days of the "Boy's Club" are over.

She also fangirled out over Janet Jackson, who was also inducted at the ceremony. We're guessing Janet was more than happy to have a word or two with Darlene.

In case you didn't know ... Darlene herself was inducted back in 2011. Her story is amazing ... from icon to maid, only to rise again.

As for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ... the honchos at the org say MJ's not going nowhere, saying the allegations made in the "Leaving Neverland" doc by Wade Robson and James Safechuck will have no bearing on Jackson's status.

Jackson was inducted into the HOF as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and again as a solo artist in 2001.

Luke Perry's getting a proper sendoff from Hollywood ... with a celebration of his extraordinary life.

TMZ's obtained the invitation that's been sent to those who worked with Luke during his Hollywood career ... a list boasting hundreds of names. We're told the invitation's gone out to those who worked with him on "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Riverdale" and various other projects.

Our sources say the invite's not limited to stars and execs who run Tinseltown. We're told crew members -- from camera guys and makeup artists to hairstylists and wardrobe folks -- are included on the guest list. The private event is set for April 13 at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.

As we first reported ... Luke's ashes were spread around the place he most cherished ... the Tennessee farm where he lived on and off over the last 20-plus years. TMZ broke the story ... Luke died suddenly this month after suffering a massive stroke.

His death sent shock waves across the world. Luke was an adoring father and was revered just as much in Hollywood, which is why it wants to unite one last time in his honor.