Jason Collins, First Openly Gay NBA Player, Dies of Brain Cancer at 47
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LOS ANGELES — Jason Collins, who became the NBA’s first openly gay player and later served as a global ambassador for the league, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, his family announced. He was 47.
Collins revealed his diagnosis in November, describing the tumor as one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. He pursued experimental treatments in Singapore over the winter, which allowed him to return to California, attend NBA All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles and visit Stanford University, his alma mater. The cancer recently returned, and Collins “died peacefully … surrounded by his family,” according to a statement released through the NBA.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his family said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and for the exceptional medical care Jason received. Our family will miss him dearly.”
Trailblazing Career
Collins played 13 NBA seasons with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. In April 2013, he publicly came out in a Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming the first active athlete in the four major North American professional sports leagues to do so. He returned to the court in February 2014 and appeared in 22 games with Brooklyn that season.
The 7-footer was part of the Nets teams that reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. “This one hurts,” former teammate and current Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd wrote on social media. “Jason Collins was a pioneer … an incredible teammate.”
League and Union Tributes
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’ “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.” The National Basketball Players Association called him “a global beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community.”
College Achievements
At Stanford, Collins shot nearly 61% from the field — still a school record — and earned honorable mention Associated Press All-America honors in 2001. Former Cardinal coach Mike Montgomery said Collins “could match up against anyone … while being a very bright and nice person.”
Personal Life
Collins is survived by his husband, film producer Brunson Green; parents Portia and Paul Collins; and twin brother Jarron Collins, who also played in the NBA and is currently a New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach. Jarron accepted the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award on Jason’s behalf last week, calling him “the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known.”
Collins often likened his cancer fight to guarding Shaquille O’Neal in his prime. “These are the cards I’ve been dealt,” he wrote in December. “You want the challenge? This is the challenge.”
Source: ESPN
