The basketball world is in mourning as news broke on May 12, 2026: Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, has passed away at age 47 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Collins’ family, in a statement shared through the NBA and Stanford University, expressed heartbreak at the loss of a beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, and gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers received over the past eight months.
Collins’ journey was one of breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and inspiring countless fans and athletes around the world. In December 2025, Collins revealed in ESPN that he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, a diagnosis that carries a grim prognosis. Despite this, he remained resolute, vowing to pursue innovative treatments and to share his story in the hope of helping others. "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 told ESPN, reflecting the selflessness that defined his life and career.
Born and raised in California, Jason Collins made his mark early at Stanford University, where he became a dominant force on the court. He finished his collegiate career as Stanford’s all-time leader in field goal percentage, shooting an astonishing .608—a record that still stands. In 2001, Collins was named a third-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press. That same year, he was selected as the 18th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, though he was quickly traded to the New Jersey Nets.
Over 13 NBA seasons, Collins played for six teams: the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds across 735 games, serving as a reliable, tough, and intelligent big man who could match up against the league’s best. Perhaps most importantly, Collins’ legacy is defined not by his statistics, but by his courage and character—qualities that resonated deeply with teammates, coaches, and fans.
In April 2013, Collins made history when he came out as gay in a Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues. The announcement, made as Collins was a free agent late in his career, sent ripples across the sports world and beyond. Collins later signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2013-14 season, appearing in 22 games before retiring. His decision to live openly and authentically was met with widespread support, including personal calls from Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama. "President Obama said, 'Congratulations -- what you've done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime.' I think that's a really cool thing and I want to do that again as far as having an opportunity to help someone that I might not ever meet in my lifetime," Collins shared in an interview with ESPN.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to Collins, stating, "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. 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."
The National Basketball Players Association echoed these sentiments, describing Collins as a "global beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community" and commending his relentless efforts to foster inclusion in locker rooms, schools, and communities. "Today, we mourn a devastating loss while celebrating a trailblazer whose legacy of bravery and inclusion will resonate for generations," the union said in a statement.
At Stanford, Collins’ impact was equally profound. Inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside his twin brother Jarron, Jason was remembered fondly by his coaches. Former Stanford head coach Mike Montgomery reflected, "It’s a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the program’s greats. We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person." Eric Reveno, associate head coach and general manager, added, "He was incredibly talented and tough, with a great big laugh. He was also a fabulous teammate, someone who thought deeply about the world and how he could leave it a better place. And, he did that in a way that inspired people around the world."
Collins’ advocacy did not end with his retirement from professional basketball. He became an NBA ambassador, championing LGBTQ+ inclusion and working to ensure that sports remain a place where everyone can feel welcome. His mantra, "Be your true, authentic self and never be afraid or ashamed or have any fear to be your true, authentic self," resonated with athletes and fans alike. The reaction to his coming out was overwhelmingly positive, with stars like Kobe Bryant and Tim Hardaway—who had previously expressed controversial views—offering support and encouragement.
Collins’ battle with cancer was marked by the same determination that characterized his playing days. Diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in late 2025, he sought experimental treatments abroad, traveling to Singapore in hopes of extending his life and contributing to advances in care. Despite a prognosis of six weeks to three months without treatment, Collins returned home to attend NBA All-Star Weekend events and a game at Stanford, savoring time with family and friends. "As an athlete you learn not to panic in moments like this. These are the cards I've been dealt. To me it's like, 'Shut up and go play against Shaq.' You want the challenge? This is the challenge. And there is no bigger challenge in basketball than going up against prime Shaquille O'Neal, and I've done that," Collins wrote in ESPN.
Just last week, Collins was honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. Too ill to attend, his brother Jarron accepted the award on his behalf, saying, "I told my brother this before I came here: He's the bravest, strongest man I've ever known."
Jason Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, whom he married in 2025, his parents Portia and Paul Collins, and his twin brother Jarron, who also enjoyed a decade-long NBA career and most recently served as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. The basketball community, from the NBA to Stanford and beyond, continues to celebrate Collins’ legacy—a legacy not just of athletic achievement, but of courage, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a more inclusive place.
Though the loss is profound, the impact Jason Collins made on the game and on society will endure, inspiring generations of athletes to come. The world of basketball stands united in honoring a true pioneer whose life was a testament to the power of being true to oneself, no matter the odds.