Jason Collins, First Out Gay NBA Player, Dies At 47

Jason Collins, the NBA center who became the first out gay man to play in any of the U.S. four major professional sports leagues, has died at age 47 after months of treatment for brain cancer.

The following statement was issued today on behalf of the family of Jason Collins:

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an… https://t.co/ggzKT3cbUo

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026

The NBA announced his death in a statement issued on behalf of his family:

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma.”

“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 shared his cancer diagnosis with the public last September. According to ESPN, he traveled to Singapore this past winter to receive experimental treatments not yet available in the United States.

While the treatments were effective enough for him to return home and attend a few public NBA events, the cancer had recently returned.

Breaking: 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins has died at 47 years old, his family announced. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma. pic.twitter.com/pvdGrEZYPv

— ESPN (@espn) May 12, 2026

Collins came out as gay in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story writing, in part:

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.

“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.

“I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

His coming out was a MAJOR event which I covered every step of the way here on TRR.

He retired in 2014 after a 13-year career that included stints with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and a return to the Nets after they moved to Brooklyn.

TIME Magazine honored him as one of 2014’s “100 Most Influential People.”

I met Jason in August 2014 at the National Lesbian/Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) convention where he sat for a lengthy Q&A session sharing his coming out experience.

Jason was more than generous with his time taking photos with everyone who approached him, and never looked like he was rushing the appearance at all. He could not have been nicer.

Rest well, Jason Collins.