Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies at 47

Former NBA player Jason Collins, the league's first openly gay player, died on May 12. Collins had been battling Stage 4 gliaobastoma brain cancer since November.

Jason Collins was 47. He was much more than an NBA player. He became a spokesperson, advocate and global ambassador for the sport as well as many other causes.

Advertisement

Collins came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated article in May 2013. As an aside from his story, he also revealed why he chose to wear No. 98. It was a tribute to Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was beaten, tortured and left to die in October of 1998. Shepard's mom Judy spoke about Collins' gesture. “It made me cry,”Judy Shepard told FOXSports.comduring an interview. “It was really quite a tribute, and I was very honored. And I know Matt would be thrilled.”

Collins' family released a statement: “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. 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.”

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

Jason Collins

This article originally appeared on The List Wire:Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies

byAdministrator

in

May 13, 2026

Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies at 47

Former NBA player Jason Collins, the league's first openly gay player, died on May 12. Collins had been battling Stage 4 gliaobasto...

Read More

Jilly Cooper signed off on Rivals filming right up to her death

Dame Jilly Cooper was signing off filming for thenew series of Rivalsright up to her death, the show’s writer has said.

Dominic Treadwell-Collins said the late writer’s “voice is all the way through” the second series of the award-winning drama based on her “bonkbuster” novel.

“She signed off every single script and she was watching rushes up until the week before she died,” he told the Radio Times, referring to unedited footage. “So we’ve got her sign-off and her voice is all the way through it all.”

The Disney+ series is based on Dame Jilly’s best-selling novel of the same name, released in 1988, which is part ofher Rutshire Chronicles series.

Set in the 1980s, with the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, Rivals dramatises the world of British television.

Dame Jilly was an active part of its production and served as an executive producer. Shedied aged 88 last Octoberafter suffering afatal head injuryduring a fall at her Gloucestershire home.

Shortly after her death, the Queen, aclose friend of Dame Jilly, visited the set of Rivals in Bristol to pay tribute to her and meet members of the cast and crew.

Advertisement

In the latest series of the Hulu Original series, David Tennant returns as television boss Lord Baddingham, who is on a mission to destroy a rival television company founded by Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’Hara (Aiden Turner).

A trailer released last month also shows Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook and Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara, who were embroiled in a love triangle with Campbell-Black in the first series.

The affair between Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer’s characters – Freddie Jones and Lizzie Vereker – appears set to continue, with the trailer showing the pair looking close.

Mr Treadwell-Collins, the show’s lead writer and executive producer, said the show’s sex scenes are handled with strict guardrails to ensure they serve the story and tone.

He told the Radio Times: “Every sex scene must move the story on, not be gratuitous, can titillate at times but must never make the audience feel uncomfortable or grubby.”

Speaking about intimacy coordinators, Parkinson added: “I definitely had moments back in the day when I could have benefited from somebody to have those chats with, where you’d be too embarrassed to say anything in front of a big crew.”

The second series sees the addition of guest stars Hayley Atwell, as Helen Gordon, Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, and Rupert Everett as her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell-Black’s former showjumping coach and mentor.

The first three episodes of Rivals series 2 are on Disney+ on Friday.

byAdministrator

in

May 12, 2026

Jilly Cooper signed off on Rivals filming right up to her death

Dame Jilly Cooper was signing off filming for thenew series of Rivalsright up to her death, the show’s writer has said. Dominic T...

Read More

The spotlight is on and, and you feel it but like for …

Advertisement

Benjamin Royer: Luke Kennard on playing for the Lakers in LA: "It feels like the biggest stage in basketball, like it's you're in the NBA, you're playing for theLos Angeles Lakers;the spotlight is on and, and you feel it but like for me, like I love it like I love being a part of it."

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype:The spotlight is on and, and you feel it but like for …

byAdministrator

in

May 12, 2026

The spotlight is on and, and you feel it but like for …

Advertisement Benjamin Royer: Luke Kennard on playing for the Lakers in LA: "It feels like the biggest stage in basketball, ...

Read More

Inter-Valley Conference selects 2026 scholarship winners

TheInter-Valley Conferencehas announced its 2026 scholarship award winners.

The IVC is awarding $11,000 in scholarship money to its student-athletes this year. Each winner was selected using a rubric system adopted by the conference's principals.

Advertisement

Here is a list of this year's winners.

• Overall winner: Samantha Ward, Tuscarawas Valley, $2,000

• Boys North Division: Owen Ball, Malvern, $1,000

• Boys South Division: Grady Kinsey, Indian Valley, $1,000

• Girls North Division: Delilah Williams, Conotton Valley, $1,000

• Girls South Division:Evelyn Pfeffer, Sandy Valley, $1,000

Big Time Sports scholar winners

• (Each $500)

• Boys North Division: Owen McCroskey, East Canton

• Boys South Division: Abram McElwee, Tuscarawas Valley

• Girls North Division: Elena Price, Tuscarawas Central Catholic

• Girls South Division: Kaydence Lahna, Ridgewood

Inter-Valley Conference school scholarship winners

• (Each $250)

• Buckeye Trail: Tyler Harrell, Anna McVicker; Claymont: Ethan Fair, Abbey Lane Devore; East Canton: Kynsie Pero; Indian Valley: Haylie Menefee; Malvern: Kami Rayborn; Newcomerstown: Jaxson Mayo, Kenley Hayes; Ridgewood: Jace McQueen; Strasburg: Kylie McKenzie; Tuscarawas Central Catholic: Dylan Dumermuth

The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email atsports@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository:OHSAA high school sports, IVC selects 2026 scholarship winners

byAdministrator

in

May 12, 2026

Inter-Valley Conference selects 2026 scholarship winners

TheInter-Valley Conferencehas announced its 2026 scholarship award winners. The IVC is awarding $11,000 in scholarship money to it...

Read More

Detroit Pistons’ rally falls short in Game 3 loss to Cavaliers

Cleveland — A 20-second sequence late in the second quarter best illustrated how the Detroit Pistons stayed two steps behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for much of Saturday.

At the 3:00 mark of the second quarter, Donovan Mitchell hit a crossover, stepback 3-pointer over Duncan Robinson. On the Pistons’ next offensive possession, Max Strus forced Cade Cunningham into a careless turnover, which the Cavaliers instantly converted into Jarrett Allen’s one-handed dunk over Jalen Duren.

After three straight dreadful plays, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff called a timeout as fans at Rocket Arena gave their team a standing ovation. The Pistons walked back to the bench in disarray and never seemed to break free from the subpar play that left them trailing 64-48 at halftime.

However, if there is one thing the Pistons have consistently shown, it is that they are a team that cannot be underestimated. Detroit mounted a rally in the second half, outscoring the Cavaliers 33-19 in the third quarter. However, it wasn't enough to prevent a 116-109 Game 3 loss. The Pistons lead the Cavaliers 2-1 in the series.

Advertisement

Cunningham posted 27 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Tobias Harris finished with 21 points. Jalen Duren's subpar performance left him with 11 points. Mitchell led with 35 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Allen added 18 points, 13 of which came in the first half.

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News:Detroit Pistons’ rally falls short in Game 3 loss to Cavaliers

byAdministrator

in

May 11, 2026

Detroit Pistons’ rally falls short in Game 3 loss to Cavaliers

Cleveland — A 20-second sequence late in the second quarter best illustrated how the Detroit Pistons stayed two steps behind the Clevel...

Read More