Jason Collins, First Openly Gay NBA Player, Dies at 47 After Glioblastoma Battle

Context Collins came out publicly in a 2013 Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first active male athlete in a major North American league to do so. He played center for six NBA teams, including the New Jersey Nets, with whom he reached the Finals in 2002 and 2003. At 2.13 m tall, he was known for defense, rebounding, and setting screens.

Before the NBA, Collins starred at Stanford University, where he earned All‑Pac‑10 honors. Selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 draft, he was traded to the Nets on draft night. Over his career he averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

After his announcement, Collins partnered with Athlete Ally to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. He received a call from President Barack Obama praising his courage. In 2014 he signed a 10‑day contract with the Boston Celtics, marking his return to the court after coming out.

Key Facts His family said he died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma, a fast‑growing form of brain cancer. Arn Tellem, Collins’ former agent and now vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons, stated that Collins’ legacy is a beacon for tolerance and that he left the world better than he found it. Collins played 13 NBA seasons, appearing in more than 1,000 regular‑season games and contributing to two Nets Finals runs.

After retiring in 2014, Collins worked as a studio analyst for NBA TV and participated in numerous speaking events on diversity. He was honored with the NBA’s Courage Award in 2014 for his advocacy.

What It Means His visibility helped shift attitudes in professional sports, paving the way for later openly gay players and broader inclusion initiatives. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have since expanded LGBTQ+ outreach programs, including pride nights and ally training.

League officials say they will monitor the impact of his story on upcoming collective bargaining discussions about anti‑discrimination policies. Additionally, several teams have announced plans to host annual "Collins Night" events to celebrate inclusion.

Observers will watch how teams honor his memory—through moments of silence, jersey tributes, or donations to LGBTQ+ charities—and whether his story accelerates policy changes in locker rooms, fan engagement, and youth sports programs.