Richard Jefferson spoke candidly with the New York Post after the newspaper reported that he broke off his scheduled wedding.

Jefferson informed his fiance, Kesha Ni'Cole Nichols, of his decision via email.

"There was a lot of stress and tension in the relationship. We've been through a lot -- but we just couldn't continue," said Jefferson, sounding upset during a telephone interview.

"I'm not trying to buy her off," said Jefferson of the six-figure settlement he gave her.  "She has a lump sum to help her move on."

He added, "I've made my mistakes in this relationship, 100 percent. But at the end of the day, there were some people who were responsible for the demise of it."

He insisted a rumor he's gay had nothing to do with the breakup.

"I'm not gay," Jefferson said. "That couldn't be any further from the truth. I have nothing to hide."