TÍTULO: Former NBA Center Jason Collins Receiving Treatment for Brain Tumor
SLUG: jason-collins-undergoes-brain-tumor-treatment
CONTENT:
NEW YORK — Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and currently an ambassador for the league, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, his family announced Thursday.
“Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being,” the family said in a statement distributed by the NBA on Sept. 11, 2025. The league shared the message through its NBA Communications account on social media.
13-Year NBA Career
Collins, 46, entered the NBA as the 18th overall pick in the 2001 draft, selected by the Houston Rockets and immediately traded to the New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot center logged 735 games (477 starts) with the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards, averaging 3.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 20.4 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from the field.
In February 2014, Collins signed a 10-day contract with Brooklyn, returning to the franchise where he spent his first seven seasons. He retired in November of that year.
Groundbreaking Moment
Collins publicly came out as gay in an April 2013 Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first active, openly gay athlete in any of North America’s four major professional sports leagues. He wore jersey No. 98 with Boston, Washington, and Brooklyn to honor Matthew Shepard, whose 1998 murder led to federal hate-crime legislation.
Personal Life
The former Stanford standout was engaged to former WNBA center Carolyn Moos before ending the relationship in 2009. He has been with film producer Brunson Green since June 2014; the couple became engaged during Pride Night at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2023 and married over Memorial Day weekend in May 2025 in Austin, Texas, with friends and family, including former teammate Richard Jefferson, in attendance.
Brooklyn sent “love and support” to its former player in a social-media post following Thursday’s announcement.
Source: Basketball Insiders
