Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47

Jason Collins died at 47 from brain cancer (Getty Images)

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver added in a statement: "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.

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in 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."

Jason made his NBA debut with the New Jersey Nets (Getty Images)

He concluded: "On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues."

Jason made history in 2013 when he publicly revealed he was gay in an essay forSports 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.

Jason played for six different NBA franchises (Getty Images)

"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."

Jason made his NBA debut with the New Jersey Nets and reached two NBA Finals. Before his retirement in November 2014, he played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards. After he came out, he went on to play in 22 games with the Brooklyn Nets.

Jason ended his career with the Brooklyn Nets (Getty Images)

"When I did come out publicly, it was interesting, it was very rare, but I got back-to-back calls from Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama," he recalled in a November 2025 interview with ESPN.

"President Obama said, 'Congratulations —what you've done today will have a positive impact on someone you might not ever meet in your lifetime.' I think that's a really cool thing."

He added: "I want to do that again as far as having an opportunity to help someone that I might not ever meet in my lifetime."