May 12, 2026 — Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday over the death of Jason Collins, calling his former New Jersey Nets teammate a “pioneer” and admitting, “This one hurts.”
Kidd and Collins shared the court in the early 2000s, helping the Nets reach consecutive NBA Finals appearances. Speaking with reporters ahead of practice, Kidd praised Collins for breaking barriers when, in 2013, the center became the first active NBA player to publicly come out as gay.
“He showed countless people that being true to yourself matters,” Kidd said. “Jason changed the game far beyond basketball.”
Details surrounding Collins’s passing were not immediately released. The NBA, the Nets organization, and former teammates quickly issued statements honoring his impact on and off the court.
Collins played 13 NBA seasons, suiting up for six franchises, but is most closely associated with the Nets, where he spent his first six years and forged a longstanding friendship with Kidd. The two remained in contact long after their playing days.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Source: New York Post
