Jason Collins, NBA Pioneer and First Openly Gay Player, Dies at 47

Jason CollinsPlayer·Jason Collins, the trailblazing NBA center who became the first openly gay active male athlete in a major North American professional sports league, has died at the age of 47. Collins passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, the league announced.

Collins's passing on May 12 or 13, 2026, follows his diagnosis in December 2025, which he revealed in an essay for ESPN. He had sought experimental treatment overseas in Singapore, but the cancer ultimately returned. His family released a statement acknowledging his profound impact: "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. 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 most significant moment transcended the basketball court when, on April 29, 2013, he publicly came out as gay in an essay for Sports Illustrated. At 34 years old, Collins famously declared, "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm Black. And I'm gay." This declaration garnered widespread support from figures including Kobe BryantPlayer·Kobe Bryant, President Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey, fundamentally shifting the landscape for LGBTQ+ athletes.

NBA Commissioner Adam SilverCoach·Adam Silver released a statement on the loss, emphasizing Collins's broader influence. "Jason CollinsPlayer·Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBACompetition·WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations," Silver stated. "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."

Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, echoed this sentiment, stating, "To call Jason CollinsPlayer·Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today." Just last week, Collins was honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit, an event his twin brother and former NBA player, Jarron CollinsPlayer·Jarron Collins, accepted on his behalf, remarking, "He's the bravest, strongest man I've ever known."

Collins played for 13 seasons in the NBA, known for his defensive prowess, rebounding, and effective screen-setting as a 7-foot center. His career spanned six franchises, including the New Jersey NetsTeam·New Jersey Nets, with whom he reached two NBA Finals. He also played for the Memphis GrizzliesTeam·Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta HawksTeam·Atlanta Hawks, Boston CelticsTeam·Boston Celtics, and Washington WizardsTeam·Washington Wizards. His marriage to film producer Brunson Green in May 2025 marked another personal milestone.

Collins's legacy is not merely defined by his athletic achievements but by the profound courage he displayed in living authentically, paving the way for greater acceptance and inclusivity within professional sports and beyond.