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NBA trailblazer Jason Collins passes away at 47
Former professional basketball player Jason Collins, the first openly gay active male athlete in a major U.S. team sport, has died following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He was 47.
Family confirms death after courageous fight
Collins' family announced his passing in a statement shared by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday. They described his struggle with glioblastoma as a "valiant fight." The former center disclosed his diagnosis last year and had been undergoing treatment to manage the inoperable tumor.
Legacy beyond basketball
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins for his groundbreaking role in sports and his broader impact on society. "Jason Collins' influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and the entire sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations," Silver said.
Silver added that Collins would be remembered "not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."
Diagnosis and reflections on identity
In December 2025, Collins revealed that his cancer was discovered after he experienced difficulty focusing. He described the tumor as "a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball." Doctors told him he had three months to live without treatment.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Collins drew parallels to his decision to come out as gay in 2013 in a landmark Sports Illustrated cover story. "Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private. This is me. This is what I'm dealing with," he said at the time.
Medical journey and treatment
Collins was receiving Avastin, a drug designed to slow tumor growth, and traveled to Singapore for targeted chemotherapy. Glioblastoma, or GBM, is a fast-growing brain cancer that originates in astrocytes, cells that support nerve function. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults, though it can occur at any age.
Symptoms vary depending on the tumor's location but may include seizures, cognitive changes, speech difficulties, vision problems, or balance issues. While treatments can slow progression, there is no known cure.
Basketball career and cultural impact
A California native, Collins played college basketball at Stanford University before embarking on a 13-year NBA career. He suited up for six teams, beginning with the New Jersey Nets, and was part of the Nets' back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He retired in 2014.
In 2013, Collins made history as the first openly gay active male athlete in one of the four major U.S. sports leagues. At the time, he was a free agent, and it was unclear whether his announcement would affect his career. He later re-signed with the Nets (then based in Brooklyn), becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in a major U.S. league.
"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm Black and I'm gay."
Jason Collins, in his 2013 Sports Illustrated essay
Tributes pour in
Collins' family described him as someone who "changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar."
The Brooklyn Nets, where Collins spent eight seasons, called his death "heartbreaking." In a statement, the team highlighted his role in their championship-era teams and his off-court impact. "Those who were around Jason every day knew him not just as a competitor, but as a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who brought people together," the Nets said. "His courage and authenticity helped move the game-and the world-forward."
Mike Montgomery, Collins' former coach at Stanford, told U.S. media that it was a "sad day" and that Collins was one of the university's "greats." Montgomery praised Collins' intelligence, skill, and character, noting that he could "match up against anyone in the country."
