"Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced Tuesday. Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay, an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career. Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. He was 47."
""Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," Collins' family said in a statement released through the NBA. "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.""
""I told my brother this before I came here: He's the bravest, strongest man I've ever known," Jarron Collins said while accepting that award. Jason Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career. He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05."
""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," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "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 tou""
Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died at 47 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. He played 13 NBA seasons across six franchises and revealed he was gay in 2013 near the end of his career. Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds, including a best season with the New Jersey Nets in 2004-05. He helped the Nets reach two NBA Finals. His family praised his impact, bravery, and the medical care he received. He received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award shortly before his death, and NBA leadership credited him with making the NBA and broader sports community more inclusive through his work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.
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