Jason Collins, the 13-year NBA veteran who made history as the first active player in a major American sports league to come out as gay, has passed away at age 47. His family confirmed that he died after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
"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. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly."
Collins' impact on the game and the broader sports world was profound. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute, saying: "Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."
Before his historic moment, Collins had already built an impressive basketball resume. He and his twin brother, Jarron Collins, first turned heads as towering 7-foot prospects dominating Southern California high school basketball at Harvard-Westlake. The twin duo then took their talents to Stanford, where they helped lead the Cardinal to consecutive NCAA Tournament runs—an Elite Eight appearance one season and a Final Four berth the next.
Collins entered the NBA as the No. 18 overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 draft, though he was traded on draft night in a deal that also involved Richard Jefferson. Over his 13-year career, he played for six teams, earning a reputation as a tough, dependable big man who could set screens, grab rebounds, and defend the paint. But it was his courage off the court that truly cemented his legacy, paving the way for greater acceptance and inclusion in professional sports.