Twelve years ago, Jason Collins was brave when he came out as an active NBA player. But now he is fighting an even harder battle.
Former basketball player Jason Collins has spoken for the first time about the extent of his brain cancer. The former NBA pro told ESPN that he is suffering from stage four glioblastoma, one of the deadliest brain diseases and most aggressive types of cancer. “Imagine a monster with tentacles spreading across the bottom of my brain the width of a baseball,” said the 47-year-old. The average life expectancy in this situation is eleven to fourteen months.
Complete removal is impossible without emerging “changed” from the procedure, says Collins. The tumor is located in a critical region near the frontal lobe, the area that shapes personality. The ex-basketball player was treated with medication, radiation, chemotherapy and experimental therapy in Singapore.
Brave twelve years ago
Collins played in the North American Basketball League for more than 13 years, and in 2013 he became the first active NBA player to come out as gay. «The last twelve years since I came out have been the best of my life. “Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self,” he said.
In his fight against cancer, he draws parallels to his move twelve years ago. “As an athlete, you learn not to panic in moments like this. These are the cards I was dealt. For me it’s like: “Shut up and play against Shaq,” he said, alluding to previous duels with basketball giants such as Shaquille O’Neal (53).
