New York, May 13, 2026 — Jason Collins, the veteran 7-foot center who in 2013 became the first active NBA player to publicly come out as gay, died Tuesday at age 47. According to family members, the former player had been diagnosed with brain cancer five months ago.
Trailblazing moment in 2013
Collins made history on April 29, 2013, when he announced his sexual orientation in a Sports Illustrated essay. The revelation was widely viewed as a significant step for LGBTQ+ visibility in men’s professional sports. He returned to the league the following season, finishing his career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014.
Career overview
• Seasons: 13 (2001-02 through 2013-14)
• Teams: New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards
• Regular-season games: 830
• Playoff games: 95
• NBA Finals appearances: 2 (2002, 2003 with New Jersey)
Advocacy and public service
After retiring, Collins served as an “NBA Cares” ambassador. One week before the 2025 NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, he spoke to about 20 children at a league clinic, discussing topics ranging from astronaut Sally Ride to coaching legend Jerry Sloan. He also recounted a trip to Bhutan, where he taught basketball.
Personal life
Collins married his longtime partner 50 weeks ago. In an April 2025 interview with The Washington Post, he reflected on handling public scrutiny, citing advice from Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard: “You just keep living your life, you keep thriving, and that will be the way to sort of [surmount] the haters.”
He encouraged younger generations to convert adversity into positive action, stating, “I can be a good teammate. I can always try.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Source: ESPN
