Jason Collins, First Openly Gay NBA Player, Dies at 47
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Jason Collins, who made history as the first openly gay player in the NBA, has died at age 47 after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma. His family announced his passing on a Tuesday. Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran who helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals, was honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award last week.
Facts First
- Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, died at age 47 after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma
- He revealed his sexuality in a 2013 Sports Illustrated article while a free agent, later playing 22 games for the Brooklyn Nets
- Collins played 13 NBA seasons across six franchises and helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals
- He was honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award last week, accepted by his twin brother Jarron Collins
- Collins wore jersey No. 98 as a tribute to Matthew Shepard for most of his final three NBA stints
What Happened
Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, died at age 47 after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a brain tumor with an extremely low survival rate. His family announced his death on a Tuesday. Last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit; his twin brother and former NBA player, Jarron Collins, accepted the award on his behalf because Jason was too ill to attend.
Why this Matters to You
Collins's public announcement in 2013 was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports, demonstrating that an athlete's identity and performance are not mutually exclusive. His legacy as an NBA Cares Ambassador and his symbolic jersey choice to honor Matthew Shepard show how personal conviction can shape a public career. His story may encourage broader acceptance and representation in athletics and beyond.
What's Next
The NBA community and LGBTQ+ advocates are likely to honor Collins's legacy in the coming weeks and months. His pioneering role as the first openly gay NBA player could continue to inspire conversations about inclusion in professional sports.