It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of Jason Collins, the former NBA center who made history as the first openly gay athlete to play in a major U.S. professional sports league. Collins died at age 47 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer, his family confirmed Tuesday.
"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," his family said in a statement released through the league. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar."
Collins first revealed his diagnosis in a brief statement last September, and by December, he told ESPN that the tumor was growing rapidly. Throughout his fight, he leaned heavily on the support of his husband, Brunson Green, and a close circle of family and friends. After initial medication, radiation, and chemotherapy, Collins traveled to Singapore for innovative treatment. He later returned home and was even able to attend NBA All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles in February—a testament to his resilience and love for the game.
On the court, Collins carved out a steady 13-year NBA career, suiting up for the New Jersey and Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. He hung up his sneakers in 2014, the same year he played 22 games for the Brooklyn Nets under head coach Jason Kidd, a former teammate from their New Jersey days.
But Collins' legacy extends far beyond the box scores. In a landmark 2013 Sports Illustrated story, he publicly came out as gay—a moment that sent shockwaves through the sports world. "When I did come out publicly, it was interesting, it was very rare, but I got back-to-back calls from Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama," Collins recalled in a November interview with ESPN. "President Obama said 'Congratulations—what you've done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime.'"
True to that spirit, Collins expressed hope that sharing his cancer journey could offer strength to others facing their own battles. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received," his family added. "Our family will miss him dearly."
Jason Collins will be remembered not just for his contributions on the hardwood, but for the courage and grace with which he lived his life—on and off the court.