Former NBA player Jason Collins' official cause of death revealed after brain cancer battle

The official cause of death for Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, has been revealed.

Key Points

• Collins, 47, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, in September 2025.

• Glioblastoma ultimately was one of the contributing factors of his May 12 death, which was attributed to respiratory failure.

A week after the passing of NBA playerJason Collins, the official cause of his death has beenrevealed.

The 47-year-old athlete died of respiratory failure with underlying contributing conditions including a pulmonary embolism, hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid in the brain), and glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.

Collins, who made history in 2014 as thefirst openly gay NBA player, announced hisglioblastoma diagnosisin September 2025, only four months after hemarriedThe HelpproducerBrunson Green.

The 7-foot center, who played for the Boston Celtics andBrooklyn Nets, died on May 12, two weeks before what would have been his and Green’s first wedding anniversary.

According to Collins’ death certificate, his body was cremated on May 15.

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his heartbroken family said in astatement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

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Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA, after being drafted in 2001 along with his twin brother Jarron, who is currently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jarron, his wife Elsa, and their three children remembered Jason at a memorial event over the weekend, each sharing the impact he made on their lives.

“I just saw something online that made me really put everything into perspective,” said one of his nieces in a video posted on Elsa’s Instagram. “My uncle said when he came out, ‘if not for me, then for someone else.’ I saw a video today and in the comments section somebody said, ‘I came out today.’ He didn’t even know them, but he already made such a big impact on their life. And I think that really sums up who he was as a person.”

As he battled brain cancer, Collins chose radiation along with Avastin, a drug used to stop the tumor’s growth, a combination he hoped would save the lives of others with glioblastoma in the future.

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“The average prognosis is only 11 to 14 months. If that's all the time I have left, I'd rather spend it trying a course of treatment that might one day be a new standard of care for everyone,” he toldESPNin December. "After I came out, someone I really respect told me that my choice to live openly could help someone who I might never meet. I've held onto that for years. And if I can do that again now, then that matters."

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May 19, 2026

Former NBA player Jason Collins' official cause of death revealed after brain cancer battle

The official cause of death for Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, has been revealed. Key Points ...

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Nicholas Galitzine Ate 5,000 Calories a Day to Bulk Up for He-Man Role

Nicholas Galitzine followed an intense training regimen to play He-Man in Masters of the Universe

NEED TO KNOW

• The actor says that each day he ate up to 5,000 calories a day and lifted weights for three hours

• He maintained workouts on set, squeezing in exercises between scenes during the five-month shoot

Masters of the UniversestarNicholas Galitzineate 5,000 calories a day to "pack on as much size as possible" to play muscular '80s icon,He-Man.

“It was an everyday a week thing,” Galitzine, 31, toldE! Newsabout his intense training routine. “It was a pretty short amount of time. You kind of would love to live in this character for a year beforehand, but the training very much changed as the movie went on.”

“We started out really trying topack on as much sizeas possible,” he explained. “You know, having up to 5,000 calories sometimes, weightlifting for three hours a day and then we streamlined it.”

Galitzine shared that they added workouts whenever possible: “You're shooting a scene [and] they say, ‘You have 10 minutes until the next setup,' you run outside, you hop on the assault bike, run back in, shoot a scene again, and that kind of goes on for about five months.”

TheRed, White & Royal Blueactor shared that the regimen was "something I had to really work through on a day-to-day basis,” but noted, "I really enjoyed the challenge.” But as the actor toldPEOPLE, his first meal after filming wrapped was "a combination of sushi and pizza."

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"I just was like, 'Give it. Give it all to me,' " Galitzine said. "Food is everything to me. It truly is."

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"Straight away" afterMasters of the Universefilming ended, Galitzine started a different kind of prep to play a World War II soldier inThe Mosquito Bowl,he toldE! News.“The director said, ‘I've got terrifying nightmares that you're gonna show up on set on day one looking like He-Man. Can you just do nothing for the next three weeks?' ”

“So, it was kind of music to my ears,” he said. “I'd lay on a couch, I ate potato chips and I said, ‘This is the kind of prep I love.' ”

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May 19, 2026

Nicholas Galitzine Ate 5,000 Calories a Day to Bulk Up for He-Man Role

Nicholas Galitzine followed an intense training regimen to play He-Man in Masters of the Universe NEED TO KNOW The...

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Kathie Lee Gifford's Connecticut Home Is for Sale for $100 Million: See the Stunning Pics

Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her 13,163-square-foot waterfront home in Connecticut, after owning it for 32 years

NEED TO KNOW

• The home, nicknamed Cedar Cliff, features eight bedrooms, nine baths and unique sunrise and sunset views from its peninsula location

• Gifford says the decision to sell reflects her new life in Nashville and her focus on writing and music projects

Kathie Lee Giffordhas put her waterfront Connecticut home on the market for a whopping $100 million.

The stunning Greenwich property, which she bought in 1994 with her husbandFrank Gifford, is nicknamedCedar Cliff. It is being sold throughLeslie McElwreathat Sotheby's International. The property boasts eight bedrooms, nine baths and five half-baths, and covers 13,163 square feet on 2.9 acres.

"Frank and I were immediately drawn to the extraordinary and unique mediterranean beauty of the house on Cedar Cliff. We felt as though we were stepping onto the grounds of a European villa. It was just stunning," Gifford, 72, shares with PEOPLE.

Now living in Nashville, where she moved to after retiring from her role at theToday Showin 2018, Gifford says she made the 40-mile commute into Midtown Manhattan daily while living at Cedar Cliff and working at NBC.

"That was my regular commute, until I left the show withRegis [Philbin]in 2000 and took an eight-year break from daytime television," she says.

"Our friend, Jim Bell, the executive producer of theToday Show, talked me into returning in 2008, alongside my precious Hoda Kotb. One year turned into eleven, and I finally leftTodayin 2018 and moved to Tennessee," says Gifford, who recently released her 31st book.

As for why she's selling now, she says that she's fully embraced her third act as a singer-songwriter and author down in the South.

"The years went on, and my children had moved, the house that had once seemed so full of life and of laughter and of music had suddenly gone silent to me," she says.

"I knew I had to make new memories," Gifford continues. "By that time, I was writing a screenplay for my friend, Craig Ferguson and me, and cowriting the music for the soundtrack. I was spending more and more time in Nashville, and it was the new beginning that I needed. I moved down there full-time in 2019, but I never stopped loving Cedar Cliff."

As for whether she had a favorite aspect of the home she owned for 32 years, she says it was all about location, location, location. (And sunrises and sunsets.)

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"It's hard to choose a favorite feature, because so often it depended on the season and what time of year we were in," she says.

"Because of the unique position of the house on its own peninsula, I was always so moved by the fact that we were blessed to watch the sun rise every morning from a little alcove which we called ‘The South of France' (a vestige of the 1920s Beach Club) and watch the sun set on the opposite side of the property as we gave thanks for all our blessings," she says.

Gifford adds, "Frank and I both came from very humble beginnings, and it was almost unbelievable to us that we would have the opportunity to not only live out our married life there together, but also to raise our children in such a magical environment."

She says her favorite memories of the home include entertaining with friends like Regis and his wife Joy,Kevin Costner, Kenny Loggins, Neil Sedaka andKris Jenner. "Playing the piano with Dolly Parton. Hosting screenings in our theater and raising funds for our favorite charities," she says.

"But I think my all-time favorite memory would be of watching Frank sit down at Praise Point for hours, watching the beautiful sailboats and waving to the fishermen and paddle boarders. Here was a man who had conquered eight halls of fame, had traveled the world many times over, and nothing compared to his home. It was his favorite spot on earth."

She notes that it's time to pass the home on to someone else, even though she'll always "miss Frank and the beautiful life we created together."

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"Our lives have taken us elsewhere since Frank's passing," she says.

"With my children now adults, and with their own growing families, we always knew in our hearts that we would know when it was the right time, and we would have peace about it. Over the years, we were constantly besieged with inquiries. We weren't ready then. We have great peace now."

Read the original article onPeople

byCustos Caelorum

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May 18, 2026

Kathie Lee Gifford's Connecticut Home Is for Sale for $100 Million: See the Stunning Pics

Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her 13,163-square-foot waterfront home in Connecticut, after owning it for 32 years NEED TO KNOW ...

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Michael Jordan Surprises His Former High School Teacher in Hospice Care Who Wanted to Talk One Last Time

Michael Jordan surprised his former high school teacher, Ms. Etta, while she's in hospice care

NEED TO KNOW

• One of Ms. Etta's final wishes was to talk to the basketball legend again

• The pair connected with the help of the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare staff

Michael Jordanbrought smiles to his old high school teacher, Ms. Etta.

Ms. Etta, who is currently in hospice care at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in the basketball legend's North Carolina hometown, received a surprise video call from Jordan, 63, as part of her wish to talk her former student-turned-basketball icon one last time.

According to LifeCare staff, Jordan's name kept coming up as Ms. Etta reflected on her favorite memories and past students at Laney High School. After various attempts to get in contact with Jordan, Wendy, a LifeCare social worker, received a call from an unknown number.

"Is this Ms. Etta?” the caller asked, per Wilmington local newsWECT 6, noting that it was the star athlete himself on the line.

Since Wendy was at her own home at the time she received the call from Jordan, who famously played for theChicago Bullsand Washington Wizards over the course of his illustrious career that spanned 15 seasons in the NBA before he retired in April 2003, she drove straight to Ms. Etta.

"They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other, and shared a moment that brought tears to everyone in the room,” the staff at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare told the outlet of the retired teacher and her former student, Jordan.

In a clip shared by the outlet, Ms. Etta is seen relaxing on a couch in her home while on FaceTime with Jordan. The basketball player, who was wearing a blue t-shirt, is seen smiling widely on the call.

It was a memory that Ms. Etta and her family will remember forever, they told the outlet.

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Since his high school years, Jordan has gone on to become regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time due to his flawless 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, his incomparable scoring dominance and his unmatched competitive drive.

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Jordan —who is the father of five children— is no stranger to giving back, especially to his hometown. In May 2024, thebasketball star and Novant Health teamed upto open a third clinic, the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Greenfield St. in Wilmington.

Jordan's $10 million donation to Novant Health allowed for two additional Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinics to be built in Wilmington.

"I am confident Novant Health's new clinic will positively impact individuals and families throughout Wilmington," he said in a statement, adding that he's "profoundly grateful to help make this day happen for my hometown."

The year before, theNBA legend marked his 60th birthdaywith a record-breaking $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish — the largest individual gift in the nonprofit’s history, according to the organization.

"For the past 34 years, it's been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids,"Jordan said in a statementat the time. "Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time in their lives has truly been an inspiration."

Read the original article onPeople

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May 18, 2026

Michael Jordan Surprises His Former High School Teacher in Hospice Care Who Wanted to Talk One Last Time

Michael Jordan surprised his former high school teacher, Ms. Etta, while she's in hospice care NEED TO KNOW On...

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Shania Twain opens 2026 ACMs with nostalgic monologue

Shania Twaintook to the stage on May 17 to host theAcademy of Country Music Awardsfor her first time.

Broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the ceremony celebrates the biggest names in country music as stars compete for top honors, including entertainer, album and song of the year.

Among this year’s leading nominees areMegan Moroney,Miranda Lambert,Ella Langley,Lainey WilsonandChris Stapleton.

Twain has graced the ACM Awards stage before. She previously won three ACM awards, including the top honor and entertainer of the year, which she nabbed in 2000.

As the who's who of country music sat in the arena's audience, the "Queen of Country Pop" opened the show's with a sweet retrospective monologue.

"What a time this is for country music. Our songs and storytellers are everywhere," Twain said, hitting the stage in an intricate gold gown.

"Now, this show and I have a little history together. Exactly 30 years ago, I was honored with my first ACM award, and that was a big, huge night for me. The 'Come On Over' album is about to turn 30," she said, adding she can't believe how long her journey has been.

"I started singing in bars when I was eight years old, and I didn't have my first top 10 hit until I was 30, and I wrote my new album called 'Little Miss Twain' all about that long journey, and I can't wait to share it with you. It's coming out in July," she said.

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"That little Miss Twain never imagined she'd be right here hosting tonight," she added.

Established in 1966, the ACMs are the longest-running country music awards show.

This is Twain's first time hosting the ceremony, making her the third woman to solo-host the show after Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.

Twain shouted out Parton and McEntire for blazing the trail for all women in country music, as well as other hosts like Charley Pride, Glenn Campbell and Kenny Rogers.

"I had his poster up on my wall my whole teenage years," Twain said of Rogers.

"We love all our country mythic legends from then and now. Tonight, the power of music will shine."

Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com. Follower her on Instagram at @audreyraegibbs.

Bryan West is a music reporter at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him onInstagram,TikTokandX as @BryanWestTV.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:Shania Twain opens 2026 ACMs with sweet monologue

byCustos Caelorum

in

May 17, 2026

Shania Twain opens 2026 ACMs with nostalgic monologue

Shania Twaintook to the stage on May 17 to host theAcademy of Country Music Awardsfor her first time. Broadcast live from the MGM ...

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