Jason Collins, NBA Veteran Who Broke Barriers for LGBTQ+ Athletes, Dies at 47
Jason Collins, a 13-season NBA veteran and trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sport, passed away on May 12, 2026, aged 47.
His family confirmed he died after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer he made public in December 2025.
His passing marks the end of a life defined equally by athletic grit and historic personal courage.
Who Was Jason Collins?
Born in California in 1978, Collins was part of a formidable "Twin-Tower" duo at Stanford University alongside his brother, Jarron Collins, before entering the NBA in 2001.
Over 13 seasons, he represented six franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards.
How Did Jason Collins Become the First Openly Gay Active Player?
In April 2013, Collins authored a landmark Sports Illustrated cover story, opening with: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm Black and I'm gay."
He was a free agent at the time, making the professional risk considerable.
He later rejoined the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in any of the four major US professional sports leagues.
What Did Jason Collins Achieve Beyond the NBA Court?
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Collins retired in 2014. He was named among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World that year.
His coming out arrived before gay marriage was legal nationwide in the US, a right secured only in 2015, making him a defining figure in the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement in sport.
What Is Glioblastoma, the Disease That Killed Jason Collins?
According to the Mayo Clinic, glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults, originating in cells that support nerve function.
There is no known cure, though treatment can slow its growth. Collins was treated with a drug called Avastin and reportedly travelled to Singapore for targeted chemotherapy.
How Did the NBA Respond to Jason Collins' Death?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly said Collins "helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."
The Brooklyn Nets called themselves "heartbroken," and former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery told US media it was a "sad day", as per BBC reporting.
What Were Jason Collins' Words to the World?
Revealing his diagnosis in December 2025, Collins reportedly described the tumour as "a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball".
Drawing on his 2013 coming out, he said: "Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self", according to the BBC.
(With inputs from yMedia)