Brandy, Quentin Richardson Calling It Quits?

Last year, NBA guard Quentin Richardson surprised R&B singer Brandy with an 11½ carat diamond, reportedly worth $1 million, and asked her to marry him. Just over a year later, the engagement is apparently no more. According to various reports, including US Weekly, the couple broke it off last week. Some rumors cast infidelity as the villain. While others are whispering that Brandy's mother came between the erstwhile happy couple.

Regardless, both stars are traveling separate paths. Richardson is now a New York Knick, after being traded by the Phoenix Suns. And Brandy was offered a development deal by the WB Network to star in a new sitcom.

No word yet if Brandy will release another man-hating CD this year.

Ricky Davis Gets Down With PONY

Sometimes people forget that Nike, Reebok and Addidas aren't the only shoemakers in the world. But PONY is well aware that it's been left behind like parachute pants and box haircuts. So the shoe company has signed Boston Celtic Ricky Davis to an endorsement deal for its fall 2005 basketball lineup.

"I am really excited to wear PONY shoes on the court in 2005 and to be the spokesperson for them in basketball. I am helping bring PONY back into the NBA for the first time in nearly 30 years," Davis said in a statement. "I'll be wearing my PONYs on-and-off the court. It is a cool brand that is authentic, hip and attitude all at the same time."

PONY's new line will include a Davis signature shoe, and a retro Poise shoe with an old-school-brought-modern feel to it.

Not to dis, but PONY? Brother couldnt get a pair of Roos?

Dwyane Wade Re-Ups With Converse

In other shoe news, Dwyane "Flash" Wade signed a new long-term deal with Converse. When Wade was initially drafted in 2003, Converse signed the Marquette Golden Eagle to a three-year, $400,000 yearly endorsement deal. (By comparison; LeBron had a $13 million deal coming into the league; Carmelo had a $3 million deal; and Detroit Piston flop Darko got one shoe lace and some gum). But now that Flash is tearing the competition apart, Converse has reportedly signed him to a six-year extension that will make Wade the face of Converse basketball. His deal includes his own signature shoe, The Wade, which hits stores in November at $90 a pair.

"He was attracted to the idea that he's going to be the face of the brand and financially they made it worthwhile enough that he was willing to forgo the opportunity to see what the market said after next season," his agent Henry Thomas told ESPN.com

Although financial details were not released, expect Wade's pockets to runneth over.

Chauncey Billups Does It for the Kids and Juices Up

Last week Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups hosted the 21st Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Detroit Golf Club benefiting The Children's Center. The event raised $80,000, even though Billups didn't step on the green. He doesn't plan to either.

"This game is 4 1/2 hours," Billups told the Detroit News, "and if I could be doing this, I could be working on basketball."

In other Billups news, the 2004 Finals MVP signed an endorsement deal with Tahitian Noni Juice, a health drink made from the Tahitian noni plant.

"Tahitian Noni Juice is not only a part of my life; it's a part of my family, too," Billups said in a statement. "My uncle introduced me to Tahitian Noni Juice, and told me about the various benefits that I would receive by incorporating the juice into my daily routine. Finally, I began drinking Tahitian Noni Juice and after a few weeks I noticed my endurance levels were higher and my ability to perform late in the fourth quarter had improved. I'm glad I tried it! Now it is a valuable part of my workout regimen."

Takes a lot of Tahitian Noni Juice to crank out a scripted response like that.

Jeter Receives Derisive Dating Tips

Derek Jeter has been attached to singer Mariah Carey, Miss Universe Lara Dutta, Jordana Brewster ('The Fast and the Furious'), Jessica Alba ('Dark Angel'), Stacy Lynn Spierer ('P.S.") and Scarlett Johansson ('Lost in Translation'), and some folks don't like his taste in lighter-skinned women. Jeter, who is biracial, is the latest black celebrity to get a letter calling him a sellout for dating white women.

According to the New York Daily News, the letter called him a "race traitor" for dating white women and told him to stop or "he'll be shot or set on fire."

Other black celebrities who have received similar letters include actor Taye Diggs, Miami Dolphin Jason Taylor, and tennis player James Blake. Authorities believe that all the letters are connected.

Jeter is reportedly currently dating Entertainment Tonight reporter Vanessa Minillo, who was born in the Philippines. Nice research, fellas.

NBA Stars Give Back on "Wheel of Fortune"

Last week, 15 NBA stars and legends taped several episodes of Wheel of Fortune to help benefit hurricane relief efforts. Players are teamed with a fan from their city, with all the winnings going towards helping various charities, including the Red Cross.

Some of the players involved included Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Amare Stoudemire, Emeka Okafor, Baron Davis, and Richard Hamilton. The fans, teamed with the NBA stars, will win NBA-themed prizes. Look for the episodes to begin airing during NBA Week, Oct. 31 thru Nov. 4. We're rooting for someone to win the Shawn Kemp paternity settlement.

About the Author:

Quibian Salazar-Moreno is a freelance writer living in Denver and a regular contributor to AOL Black Voices. You can e-mail him or visit his Web site to talk sports, entertainment and everything in between.