Jason Collins, NBA’s First Openly Gay Player, Dies at 47 After Brain Cancer Battle
*Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay active player, has died at age 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. His family shared the news on May 12, 2026. Collins passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after an eight-month fight. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was […] The post Jason Collins, NBA’s First Openly Gay Player, Dies at 47 After Brain Cancer Battle appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.
Black News 
*Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay active player, has died at age 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
His family shared the news on May 12, 2026. Collins passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after an eight-month fight.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement released through the NBA. “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.”
His Diagnosis and Final Months
Collins publicly revealed his Stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis in December 2025. The tumor was described as inoperable and aggressive, discovered after sudden issues with focus and mental clarity. Despite the grim prognosis, Collins faced his illness with the same resilience he showed on the basketball court.
Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend, and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him. “I told my brother this before I came here: He’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.
A Trailblazing NBA Career
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2001 to 2014 as a 7-foot center. He was drafted 18th overall in 2001 by the New Jersey Nets out of Stanford. He helped the Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05. Over his career, he averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds.
He played for multiple teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, and others. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, the young gay man murdered in a hate crime in 1998.
The Historic 2013 Announcement
Collins came out publicly in a 2013 “Sports Illustrated” essay while still an active player. It was a historic moment — he became the first openly gay active male athlete in a major U.S. professional team sport. The announcement sent shockwaves through the sports world, but Collins was met largely with support from teammates, coaches, and fans.
His bravery helped open doors for countless athletes who followed. After retiring, he became a global ambassador for the NBA and a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
Tributes From the NBA Community
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a heartfelt statement honoring Collins’ legacy. “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,” Silver said. “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.
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
Tributes have poured in from players, coaches, and fans across the league and beyond. Many recalled Collins’ gentle spirit, his professionalism, and the quiet courage it took to step forward at a time when no one else had.
Rest in Peace, Jason Collins
Jason Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson, his twin brother Jarron, and his extended family. His legacy is not measured in points or rebounds, but in the doors he opened and the lives he touched. He changed sports forever, and he will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.
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The post Jason Collins, NBA’s First Openly Gay Player, Dies at 47 After Brain Cancer Battle appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.
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