Jason Collins, the first openly gay active player in the National Basketball Association, has died at the age of 47 after battling a severe form of brain cancer.His family confirmed his passing on Tuesday, saying Collins died after what they described as a courageous fight against glioblastoma, an aggressive stage four brain tumour that he publicly disclosed in recent months. The former basketball star had announced in September that he was receiving treatment before later revealing the cancer diagnosis.
Collins made history in 2013 when he publicly came out as gay, becoming the first active male athlete in any of North America’s four major professional sports leagues to do so. His announcement was widely seen as a landmark moment in professional sports, breaking long-standing barriers around sexuality and representation in elite athletics.
His decision drew support from across the sports world and beyond, including from Barack Obama, who praised his courage at the time. Collins’ family said his openness and advocacy changed lives, describing him as an inspiration both to those who knew him personally and to many others around the world.
During his basketball career, Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA, building a reputation as a dependable center and respected teammate. He was selected 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets before being traded on draft night to the then-New Jersey Nets.
He went on to play for several teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.
One of the highlights of his career came with the Nets, where he helped the franchise reach back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 alongside teammates Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.
Tributes have continued to pour in following news of his death. His former agent and current vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons, Arn Tellem, said Collins’ legacy would endure as a symbol of tolerance, inclusion and dignity, adding that he left the world better than he found it.
