Jason Collins, NBA’s First Openly Gay Player, Dies at 47 Following Brain Cancer Battle

The sports world has lost a pioneer. Jason Collins, the longtime NBA center who shattered one of the most enduring glass ceilings in American professional sports, has died at the age of 47. His family confirmed that Collins passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, following several months of treatment for glioblastoma, an aggressive and inoperable form of brain cancer.

For many, Collins was a reliable presence in the paint over a 13-year career. But for millions of others, he was the man who proved that authenticity and professional athletics could coexist in the highest echelons of the game. By coming out publicly while still an active player, Collins transitioned from a role player on the court to a global symbol of courage and inclusivity.

In a statement released by the NBA on behalf of his family, the league noted that “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 expressed deep gratitude for the medical care Jason received and the outpouring of support during his final eight months of life.

The Moment That Changed the Game

While his career spanned over a decade, Jason Collins’ most enduring contribution to sports history occurred in 2013. In a landmark essay published by Sports Illustrated, Collins became the first active male athlete in any of the four major American professional sports leagues to come out as gay.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” he wrote in the piece. It was a declaration that resonated far beyond the hardwood of the NBA. The courage it took to go public was immediate and widely recognized; then-President Barack Obama personally called Collins to offer his support and NBA legends like Steve Nash voiced their “maximum respect” for his transparency.

For those unfamiliar with the climate of professional sports at the time, Collins’ announcement was a seismic shift. For years, the “open secret” of LGBTQ+ athletes had been managed through silence and carefully curated public personas. Collins chose a different path, deciding that living as his true self was more important than the comfort of the closet.

A Career Defined by Resilience

Before he became a social trailblazer, Collins was a standout athlete defined by his work ethic and intelligence. A Southern California high school star alongside his twin brother, Jarron, Jason went on to star at Stanford University before entering the NBA in 2001.

Over the course of 13 seasons, Collins played for six different NBA franchises, beginning his journey with the New Jersey Nets. As a center, he provided depth, defensive presence, and a veteran leadership style that made him a valued teammate across the league. Following his retirement in 2014, he continued his relationship with the sport, serving as an ambassador for the NBA.

His impact was not limited to the stats sheet. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States, recognized Collins as a groundbreaking figure who paved the way for future generations of athletes to enter the league without fear of erasure.

The Final Battle with Glioblastoma

The final chapter of Collins’ life was marked by a fight as courageous as his public coming-out. In December 2025, Collins revealed he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. He described the discovery as happening after he began struggling to focus, later describing the tumor as “a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball.”

Facing an inoperable disease, Collins approached his diagnosis with the same transparency he had applied to his personal life. He spoke openly about the terror and the hope accompanying his treatment, which included the drug Avastin to slow the tumor’s growth and targeted chemotherapy treatments that took him as far as Singapore.

Collins noted that the experience of facing death reminded him of the liberation he felt in 2013. “Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private,” he shared during his treatment. “What we have is me. This is what I’m dealing with.”

A Legacy of Inclusion

The loss of Jason Collins is felt deeply not only by his husband, Brunson Green, and his family, but by a global community of athletes who now feel a little safer in their own skin. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted that Collins’ influence extended far beyond the boundaries of the basketball court.

“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. “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.”

To understand the weight of Collins’ legacy, one must look at the current landscape of professional sports. While there is still a long road toward full acceptance, the door that Collins pushed open in 2013 remains open. He proved that a player’s sexual orientation does not diminish their athleticism, their competitiveness, or their value to a team.

Jason Collins’ life was a testament to the power of truth. Whether he was battling for rebounds in the paint or fighting a terminal illness, he did so with a grace and honesty that redefined what it means to be a professional athlete. He didn’t just play the game; he changed the culture of the game forever.

For more updates on the NBA’s tributes to Jason Collins and information on how to support glioblastoma research, stay tuned to NBC News and official league channels.

We invite our readers to share their memories of Jason Collins and his impact on the sporting world in the comments below.