Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and Celtics teammate, died Tuesday at 47 after battling glioblastoma.
A life that helped change what professional basketball could look like has ended: Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and a trailblazer for inclusion, has died at 47.
Collins died Tuesday after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to a statement from his family released through the NBA. He was 47.
His family said Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a form of cancer known for an extremely low survival rate.. In the statement. they described the past eight months as a period marked by an outpouring of love and prayers. and thanked his doctors and nurses for what they called exceptional medical care.
Collins spent 13 years in the NBA across six franchises, including time with the Boston Celtics during the 2012-13 season.. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay—an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career—and went on to become an ambassador for the league’s broader push toward inclusion.
Beyond the game itself, the family framed Collins as someone who changed lives in ways that extended far past the court. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” the statement said.
Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend the ceremony, and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted the honor on his behalf.
In remarks made during the award acceptance, Jarron Collins said he had told his brother before coming to the event that “he’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” highlighting the resolve that family members say defined Collins’ final months.
On the court, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over his career. He also helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals, and in his best season, in 2004-05, he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for the team.
Collins’ public coming-out in 2013 came at a time when the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes in major American sports remained uneven. and his decision resonated well beyond the NBA.. While his career statistics reflected a steady role player. his personal announcement carried a different kind of weight—one that helped broaden the conversation inside locker rooms and fan communities.
For many. his legacy has continued to take shape through the platforms he used after basketball. including league-facing efforts and public recognition that emphasized character as much as competition.. The Global Champion Award that he received—acceptance of which his twin brother stood in for—underscored how his influence extended beyond athletics.
As the league and fans process the loss of a figure who helped open doors, the family’s statement also points to the human reality behind public milestones: a long medical fight, the support of caregivers, and a final recognition delivered even as health limited his ability to attend.
Jason Collins death NBA first openly gay player glioblastoma Stage 4 Boston Celtics sports inclusion Bill Walton Global Champion Award
wait i thought he already passed away like years ago
RIP to him honestly that brain cancer stuff is no joke my uncle had something similar and it was really fast, like within months he was gone. 47 is way too young man, doesnt matter what anyone thinks about anything else, nobody deserves to go out like that.
I remember when he made that announcement and honestly the whole sports world kind of stopped for a second. people forget how big a deal that actually was back then because now its like whatever but in 2013 nobody had done that while still being active in a major sport. i think people give him credit but not enough credit if that makes sense. anyway brain cancer is terrifying and his poor brother having to accept that award knowing his twin is home sick like that, i cant even imagine how that feels standing up there.
This is what happens when the media keeps pushing agendas instead of letting people just play ball, the stress of all that attention probably didnt help his health at all. im not saying anything bad about him as a person but the whole thing was clearly a PR move by the NBA and you gotta wonder if all that pressure takes a toll. prayers for his family though.