Jason Collins, the former National Basketball Association (NBA) centre who became the first openly gay player in a major North American professional sports league, has died at the age of 47 following a battle with brain cancer.
His family confirmed on Tuesday, 12 May that Collins had died after what they described as a “valiant fight” with stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive and fast‑growing form of brain tumour.
In a statement released through the NBA, his family said: “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar… Our family will miss him dearly.”
Collins enjoyed a 13‑year career in the NBA, playing for six franchises including the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. Known more for his defensive presence and leadership than prolific scoring, he helped the Nets reach back‑to‑back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
However, his greatest impact came off the court. In 2013, towards the end of his playing career, Collins publicly came out as gay in a first‑person essay, becoming the first active male athlete in one of North America’s four major professional sports leagues to do so. The announcement was widely praised, marking a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ representation in elite sport and helping to challenge long‑standing taboos within men’s professional athletics.
Collins later returned to the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014, becoming the first openly gay player to appear in a regular‑season game.
The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, paid tribute, saying Collins’ “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball” and that he helped make the sport more inclusive and welcoming. He added that Collins would be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for his “kindness and humanity”.
Collins had revealed late last year that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, undergoing treatment including radiation and chemotherapy in an attempt to slow the disease. Despite periods of improvement, the cancer returned in recent weeks, leading to his death at home surrounded by his family.
Born in California, Collins was drafted in 2001 and went on to establish himself as a respected veteran presence across the league. After retiring in 2014, he remained involved with the NBA as an ambassador and advocate for inclusion.
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