Quick Answer
Jason Collins, the former NBA center who made history in 2013 as the first openly gay athlete to play in any of North America's major professional sports leagues, died on May 12, 2026, at the age of 47. He passed away at home after an eight month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
His death has triggered an outpouring of grief from across the sports world and beyond. Collins leaves behind a legacy far larger than his 13-year basketball career.
The short answer
Jason Collins, the former NBA center who made history in 2013 as the first openly gay athlete to play in any of North America's major professional sports leagues, died on May 12, 2026, at the age of 47. He passed away at home after an eight month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
His death has triggered an outpouring of grief from across the sports world and beyond. Collins leaves behind a legacy far larger than his 13-year basketball career. He changed the culture of professional sports, inspired millions to live authentically, and fought his final illness with the same courage he brought to every arena he entered.
The basketball career
Jason Collins spent 13 seasons in the NBA as a tough, defense-first center. He played for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets. He was never a superstar scorer. His value came from setting hard screens, defending the paint, and providing veteran leadership in the locker room.
Statistically, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for his career. Those numbers do not tell the full story. Coaches loved him because he understood his role, accepted it completely, and executed it with professionalism every night.
The moment that changed sports
In April 2013, Collins wrote a deeply personal first-person essay for Sports Illustrated. The cover story bore a simple, world-changing headline: "I'm Gay." At a time when no active male athlete in any major North American sport had ever come out publicly, Collins risked his entire career to live authentically.
The announcement cracked a massive cultural barrier. He received immediate support from figures ranging from NBA Commissioner David Stern to President Barack Obama. When the Brooklyn Nets signed him in 2014, his number 98 jersey, chosen in honor of Matthew Shepard, became an instant top seller.
"Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private," Collins wrote in his final essay, months before his death. That sentence captures the essence of what he gave to the world.
The glioblastoma battle
Collins revealed his diagnosis in December 2025. He was battling Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, widely considered one of the most deadly and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer.
Glioblastoma originates from astrocytes, the star-shaped support cells of the brain. Unlike tumors with clean, defined edges, glioblastoma spreads through microscopic thread-like tendrils that extend deep into healthy surrounding tissue. This makes complete surgical removal virtually impossible and renders the cancer notoriously resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation.
Upon diagnosis, Collins was given a grim prognosis of just a few months without treatment. True to his character, he refused to accept defeat quietly. He traveled to Singapore in early 2026 to undergo experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA in the United States. Initially, the results were encouraging. He experienced a brief remission that allowed him to attend the NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles and visit his alma mater, Stanford University.
Tragically, the aggressive cancer returned rapidly in recent weeks. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his husband Brunson Green, his twin brother and former NBA player Jarron Collins, and his parents.
The global response
Tributes poured in from every corner of the basketball world and beyond. The NBA released a statement calling Collins "a pioneer who changed lives in unexpected ways." Former teammates, opponents, and fans shared memories of a player who was respected for his toughness long before he was celebrated for his courage.
Collins' death has also renewed calls for increased research funding to combat glioblastoma. The disease has claimed far too many lives, including Senator John McCain and Beau Biden. Each high-profile loss shines a light on how desperately new treatments are needed.
Why Jason Collins matters
Collins did not set out to be a civil rights icon. He set out to be a professional basketball player. But when the moment came to choose between hiding who he was and living with integrity, he chose integrity.
The ripple effects of that choice are still visible today. More athletes in more sports now feel empowered to live openly. Locker room cultures have shifted, slowly but measurably. Organizations have implemented more inclusive policies. None of this happened solely because of Jason Collins, but his 2013 announcement was the crack in the dam that made everything that followed possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What teams did Jason Collins play for?
Collins played for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets over his 13-year NBA career.
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer that originates from astrocytes. It is notoriously difficult to treat because its microscopic tendrils extend into healthy brain tissue, making complete surgical removal nearly impossible.
Why did Jason Collins wear number 98?
He chose number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was murdered in 1998. The number became a symbol of inclusion and hope.
The takeaway
Jason Collins was a good NBA player and a great human being. His statistics will fade from memory, but his courage will not. In choosing to live openly, he made professional sports a more welcoming place for everyone who followed.
In his final months, facing the most aggressive cancer known to medicine, Collins displayed the same grace and authenticity that defined his life. He leaves behind a sports landscape forever changed and a reminder that the bravest thing anyone can do is simply be themselves.
Quick recap
Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, died on May 12, 2026, at 47, after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma. He played 13 NBA seasons and made history with his 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story.
His legacy extends far beyond basketball. He changed sports culture, inspired millions, and fought his final illness with the same courage he brought to every challenge in life.
