Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history and a groundbreaking figure in professional sports, has died at the age of 47 following a battle with brain cancer.
Collins passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family, according to a statement released Tuesday through the NBA.
Collins revealed publicly in 2013 that he was gay through a landmark cover story with Sports Illustrated, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in one of North America’s four major professional sports leagues.
His announcement became a defining moment not only for basketball, but for sports culture as a whole. “I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I’m gay,” Collins recalled in an interview with ESPN last November.
Battle With Glioblastoma
Collins disclosed in November that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.
He sought experimental treatment in Singapore earlier this year and briefly improved enough to:
- Attend NBA All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles
- Visit a game at Stanford University, his alma mater
But the cancer later returned. His family released an emotional statement following his passing. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him.”
A 13-Year NBA Career
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA after being selected 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.
During his career, he spent time with:
- New Jersey Nets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Washington Wizards
- Brooklyn Nets
He helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals in the early 2000s alongside Jason Kidd.
Respect Across the Basketball World
NBA commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins’ impact on the league and broader sports community. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life.”
The National Basketball Players Association called Collins a “global beacon of hope” for the LGBTQ+ community.
Collins often spoke about the significance of publicly coming out and the impact it could have on people he might never meet. He recalled receiving calls from both Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey after his announcement. Obama told him: “What you’ve done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime.” That became part of Collins’ mission moving forward.
Before the NBA, Collins starred at Stanford, where he remains the school’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage. Former coach Mike Montgomery remembered him as both an outstanding player and person. “He was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.”
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
