Jason Collins, the first active openly gay NBA player, dies at 47 after brain cancer diagnosis

Alex Goodlett via Getty Images

Jason Collins, who was the first active openly gay player in NBA history, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

He was 47.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family said in a statement through the NBA.

“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.”

Collins, who was selected by the Houston Rockets with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, spent 13 seasons in the NBA with six different franchises throughout his career.

He became one of the most important and influential players in the NBA in 2013 when he came out as gay. In doing so, Collins became the first openly gay active player in a men's North American sports league.

The announcement came toward the end of Collins' career, when he was a free agent seeking a job. In the middle of the 2013-14 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets signed Collins to a 10-day contract. He wound up playing in 22 games with the Nets that year before retiring after the season.

“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,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.”

Though Collins was drafted by the Rockets, he never played for the organization. Collins was traded to the Nets, who played in New Jersey at the time. He spent eight of his 13 seasons with the franchise, and also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards during his career.

In total, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over 735 total games.

Collins’ twin brother, Jarron, was also selected in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Jarron ended up spending a decade in the league.

The reaction to Collins coming out as gay was largely positive throughout the NBA world. Collins said he received a phone call from former point guard Tim Hardaway, who had previously said that he hated gay people in a radio interview when talking about former NBA player John Amaechi, who is also gay, via The New York Times. Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who was once fined for using an anti-gay slur at an official, praised Collins on social media at the time, too.

“My message to other athletes, period, is just be yourself,” Collins said in 2014 after rejoining the Nets. “Be your true, authentic self and never be afraid or ashamed or have any fear to be your true, authentic self.”

Jason Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer

Collins revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which is an aggressive form of brain cancer. Months prior, his family revealed Collins was being treated for a brain tumor, but did not provide additional details as Collins was undergoing treatment.

Collins decided to share his story with ESPN in December, announcing his diagnosis and revealing that his tumor was inoperable. At the time, he said the standard prognosis for individuals unable to undergo surgery to remove the tumor was 11 to 14 months.

Collins vowed the continue treating the illness, saying he would explore new and inventive treatment plans "that might one day be a new standard of care for everyone."

In his search for an effective treatment, Collins drew parallels to coming out as gay in 2013, per ESPN.

“After I came out, someone I really respect told me that my choice to live openly could help someone who I might never meet,” he said. “I've held onto that for years. And if I can do that again now, then that matters.”

Collins credited his 13 seasons in the NBA to allow him to be in the financial position to travel anywhere in the world to receive proper treatment, something he was doing in hopes that it could help others down the road.

"If what I'm doing doesn't save me, I feel good thinking that it might help someone else who gets a diagnosis like this one day," Collins said.

Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, last year. His brother Jarron was most recently an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I got to tell my own story, the way I wanted to,” Jason Collins told ESPN in December. “And now I can honestly say, the past 12 years since have been the best of my life. 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.”