Jason Collins Dies: NBA’s First Openly Gay Player Was 47

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Jason Collins attends the Los Angeles Clippers & Comcast NBCUniversal's NBA All-Star Legendary Tip-Off Celebration at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on February 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images) - Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, has died following a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.

Collins made history in 2013 when he publicly came out during his professional basketball career, becoming the first openly gay active player in the NBA.

A statement issued on May 12 on behalf of Collins’ family read: “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 revealed to ESPN that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma back in November, and while he was receiving treatment for the disease, the cancer returned. According to the publication, Collins died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.

Collins came out as gay in a May 6, 2013, Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming the first publicly gay professional athlete to play in any of the four main North American sports leagues. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,”   “No one wants to live in fear. I’ve always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don’t sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly.”