Carmelo's Hip-Hop Kross Over

Carmelo Anthony is spending his off season working hard on promoting his Krossover Entertainment Company. Earlier this week he stopped in MTV's Direct Effect with DJ Cipha Sounds to talk about the company but mostly get the buzz started about his new artist, Berg. Although they didn’t announce a release date for the project, Melo told fans to keep an eye out for an upcoming mixtape by DJ Drama, featuring Berg. Melo also shared the advice he gives his artist on the way to success.

"Stay humble, keep working hard," Melo said. "I try to tell him all the time that as an artist he isn’t where he wants to be right now and it’s going to take a lot of hard work. So never get discouraged."

Berg said the album will feature cameos by Soundz, Caviar, Heatmakerz, Green Lantern, Bun B, I-20, Peedi Crack, DTP Crew, Jadakiss, and Styles. And Melo did assure everyone that he will be staying off the mic.

Stephen Jackson Opens New School

This has to be something no other pro player has done before. Indiana Pacer Stephen Jackson has opened the Stephen Jackson Academy in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. The academy is a grade school that will open in August.

"Port Arthur is my life and my soul," Jackson told the Texas Examiner. "Coming back home and doing this is better than winning the NBA Championship. There are a million things you can do for your hometown. I plan on doing many but this is a great first step. After everything the city has been through, including [Hurricane Rita], I thought this would be a perfect way to start off. A lot of kids are moving around and we want to keep them right here."

The academy will be located at the Jesse Jackson Educational Center in downtown Port Arthur and will be for kindergarten through 9th grade, with 10th-12th grades being added later. Do you think their basketball team will be decent?

BET Announces Athlete Nominees for BET Awards

Last week BET announced its nominees for the BET Awards ceremony in June. Names like Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Kanye West are being thrown around for "best… whatever." But what we care about here at TPL, are the athletes.

For Best Male Athlete: Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Tiger Woods, and Vince Young have been nominated. For Best Female Athlete, Laila Ali, Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Venus Williams have been nominated.

Since TPL is actually a member of the voting committee for the BET Awards, we’ll let you know who we’re voting for:

Best Male Athlete: Vince Young. We chose Vince Young because all the talk leading up to the Rose Bowl was all about USC, Reggie Bush, and Matt Leinart. The media was basically giving them the championship, but young gun Vince Young stomped a mudhole in their behinds and took home the trophy. We love that!

Best Female Athlete: Venus Williams. We chose Venus because she continues to be an example for her little sister. Even though she lost last weekend to Hingis, Venus did win Wimbledon last year when everyone doubted her. I guess we here at TPL are suckers for the underdog.

Packers running back turns Dr. Gado

During the off-season a lot NFL players like to spend time chilling on a beach, partying in Las Vegas, or just sleeping in everyday and hanging out with the family. But for Packers running back Samkon Gado his day started at 5AM with the rest of the staff at Bellin Health Hospital in Green Bay. Since his season ended, Gado has been working at the local hospital with the goal of becoming a doctor and heading back home to Nigeria to work.

"I think that the problem that is going on in Africa is really being overlooked," Gado told the Associated Press. "And I think it's kind of sad. ... But I think when you just look at the need, I feel like it's too hard to ignore."

On a typical day, Gado would measure vital signs, help patients get out of bed and to the bathroom, and even draw blood. Give the guy a shout out at his MySpace page

Reggie Bush Donates to New Orleans High School

After finishing up his rookie mini-camp last week, No. 2 NFL draft pick Reggie Bush donated a cool $50,000 to Holy Rosary High School in New Orleans. Apparently the school, which helps students with learning disabilities has been struggling financially.

"When I first arrived here in New Orleans, I immediately knew I needed to do something to help and when you look at the Holy Rosary School, it is more than simply a school it is an important part of the community," Bush said in a statement. "My relationship with adidas has helped me to be able to really step out and try to get even more involved with the community. As far as the whole jersey thing, where Bush said he would donate 25 percent of his jersey sales to New Orleans relief efforts if he was allowed to wear No. 5? Now he says he’s going to donate no matter what number he wears.