First Openly Gay NBA Player Jason Collins Dies At 47 Following Glioblastoma Diagnosis

Jason Collins spent more than a decade earning respect across the NBA before changing professional sports history with a public announcement that reached far beyond basketball.

Collins, the first openly gay active player in NBA history, died at 47 following an eight month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. News of his death spread quickly throughout the sports world as former teammates, coaches, and fans reflected on the impact he made on and off the court.

Standing 7 feet tall, Collins built a 13 season NBA career known for defense, rebounding, and physical interior play rather than scoring totals or celebrity attention. He played for the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards during a career that included consecutive NBA Finals appearances with New Jersey in 2002 and 2003.

His family confirmed his death in a statement released through the NBA, according to ESPN, saying Collins remained surrounded by loved ones during his final months while continuing what they described as a courageous fight against cancer.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” the family said in the statement. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.”

Collins altered the sports landscape in 2013 when he publicly came out while still an active NBA player. At the time, many inside professional sports questioned whether an openly gay athlete could openly exist within one of America’s major men’s leagues.

Support followed from teammates, league officials, political leaders, and athletes across multiple sports. Collins’ announcement became a defining moment for LGBTQ visibility in professional athletics and helped shift public conversation surrounding sexuality and acceptance inside men’s sports.

Coaches and teammates frequently praised Collins for discipline, preparation, and willingness to take difficult defensive assignments without demanding attention. His reputation inside locker rooms centered on professionalism and reliability rather than statistics.

Following retirement, Collins remained active in advocacy work tied to LGBTQ inclusion, youth outreach, and NBA community programs. His willingness to speak openly about identity created space for future athletes navigating similar experiences inside professional sports.

Before Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals in San Antonio, the NBA held a moment of silence honoring Collins following news of his death.

For many across basketball, Jason Collins became larger than his playing career because he changed what honesty looked like inside one of America’s most guarded sports cultures.