05/12/26 05:50:00
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05/12 17:49 CDT Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 of
brain tumor
Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain tumor
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
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."
Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion
Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend and his
twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him.
"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.
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