Former NBA center Jason Collins, who made history as the first openly gay active player in a major North American professional sports league, has died at the age of 47 following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. News of Collins’ passing was confirmed by family members and later acknowledged by the NBA, prompting an outpouring of tributes from former teammates, league officials, LGBTQ+ advocates, and fans across the sports world. (New York Post)
Collins spent 13 seasons in the NBA after being selected in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft following a standout college career at Stanford University. During his career, he played for several teams including the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets. Though respected primarily for his defense, leadership, and physical presence in the paint, Collins became internationally known in 2013 after publicly coming out as gay in a groundbreaking Sports Illustrated article. His announcement marked a historic moment for professional sports and helped open broader conversations surrounding inclusion and LGBTQ+ visibility within athletics. (New York Post)
In late 2025, Collins publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma after doctors discovered an inoperable brain tumor. Despite the devastating diagnosis, Collins remained active publicly, speaking openly about his health journey while continuing advocacy work tied to inclusion, mental resilience, and community outreach. Reports indicated he sought experimental treatments overseas and remained engaged with the basketball community throughout much of his illness. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins following the news of his death, describing him as a courageous figure whose impact extended far beyond basketball. (New York Post)
Following the announcement, tributes flooded social media from players, coaches, journalists, and fans remembering Collins not only for his NBA career, but also for the cultural barrier he broke within professional sports. Many observers credited Collins with helping pave the way for greater acceptance and representation for LGBTQ+ athletes across multiple leagues. While his playing career may have ended more than a decade ago, his influence on sports culture and conversations surrounding identity and inclusion continues to resonate throughout the basketball world today.
