The sports world is mourning the loss of a true pioneer. Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, passed away at the age of 47 on Tuesday, May 12. His family shared the heartbreaking news, revealing that Collins lost his courageous battle with stage 4 glioblastoma—one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Collins, who enjoyed a 13-season career across six different NBA teams, first shared his diagnosis in December 2025. Just three months earlier, the league and his family had disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. His passing marks the end of a valiant fight that inspired countless fans and fellow athletes.
In a deeply emotional statement released through the NBA, his family remembered him not just as a player, but as a beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," they wrote. They also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and exceptional medical care he received during his final months.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to Collins' lasting legacy, noting that his impact reached far beyond the basketball court. "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," Silver said. He highlighted Collins' leadership and professionalism throughout his career, as well as 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."
Collins made history in 2013 when he came out publicly in a powerful essay for Sports Illustrated. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation," he wrote at the time. That moment changed the landscape of professional sports, paving the way for greater inclusion and acceptance. As we remember Jason Collins, we honor a man whose courage, grace, and humanity will continue to inspire generations to come.