Jason Collins
First Openly Gay Player In NBA Dead At 47
Published
Jason Collins — the NBA’s first openly gay player — has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.
NBA commish Adam Silver released a statement on the loss … 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,” he added. “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.”
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
Collins played for the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics and Wizards over the course of his career … but his most notable moment is when he revealed he was gay on April 29, 2013 in an essay for Sports Illustrated.
He famously said, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m Black and I’m gay.”
He became the first openly gay active male athlete in any of the four major professional men’s sports leagues … and received a ton of support from names like Kobe Bryant, President Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
Collins’ twin brother, Jarron, also played in the NBA.
In November, Collins revealed to ESPN he was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma … one of the most aggressive and inoperable forms of the disease.
He sought experimental treatment overseas … but the cancer returned, and he died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” the family statement read. “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.”
