Former NBA player and LGBTQ+ trailblazer Jason Collins has died after battling an aggressive brain tumor.
Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in National Basketball Association history, has died at the age of 47 following an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a severe form of brain cancer.
His family confirmed his death on Tuesday through the NBA. In a statement, Collins’ family described him as an inspiration whose impact extended far beyond basketball. They also thanked supporters and medical staff who cared for him during his illness.
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA for six teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. He became a major figure in sports history in 2013 when he publicly revealed he was gay in a first-person article published by Sports Illustrated.
At the time, Collins said he wanted to help create change in professional sports and encourage greater acceptance and inclusion.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins for helping make basketball and the wider sports community more welcoming for future generations.
During his career, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He also helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in the early 2000s.
Before entering the NBA, Collins starred at Stanford University, where he set a school record for field-goal percentage and earned All-America recognition.
Tributes from across the sports world continue to pour in as fans, players, and organizations remember Collins for both his basketball career and his role in breaking barriers.
ALSO HAPPENING: https://alo360.net/brandon-clarke-dies-age-29-memphis-grizzlies/