From his groundbreaking 2013 announcement to his final months spent seeking experimental treatments, Collins remained a symbol of courage and authenticity until the end. Yankee Scores reflects on his exploits on and off the court. 

Jason Collins, who made history as the NBA’s first open gay player and has been an ambassador of the league globally over the last decade, has died at age 47 from brain cancer, his family said in a statement on Tuesday.

A Hero’s Exit

In November, Collins revealed to ESPN that he has stage four glioblastoma cancer, considered one of the most lethal kinds of brain tumors. Collins flew to Singapore over the winter to undergo experimental treatment procedures which were not available in the U.S. That helped him return home and attend the NBA All-Star festivities in Los Angeles, as well as visiting Stanford, where he studied.

Now the disease returned, and he died peacefully at his LA home with family members around him.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family said in a statement released through the NBA.

NBA Mourns

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. 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.”

In his eight seasons with the Nets, Collins became “one of the key figures of an era at our franchise,” according to the team’s statement. “He was a consistent presence in our locker room, always selfless, tough and extremely respected by everyone.”

The Legacy

“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything,” Collins told ESPN in November.

“This was like, I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I’m gay. Just so everyone knows cards on the table, this is where I am.

“Thankfully the Nets were the one team that gave me a tryout.”

Back in the aforementioned interview with ESPN, Collins mentioned that upon announcing his sexual orientation, he got two back-to-back calls from Oprah Win

“Those who were around Jason every day knew him not just as a competitor, but as a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who brought people together. His impact extended far beyond the court, and his courage and authenticity helped move the game — and the world — forward.”

Collins played 22 games for the Nets during that 2013-14 season, alongside teammates Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson.

Remembering Jason Collins 🤍 pic.twitter.com/755sQbp3w9

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026

The coach then was Jason Kidd, whom Collins had played with as teammates on the New Jersey Nets team that made the NBA Finals in 2002-03.

This one hurts. Jason Collins was a pioneer. He had courage like you’ve never seen. He was an incredible teammate. And having him in Brooklyn at the start of my coaching journey meant so much. Those who knew him were blessed to call him a friend. You are already missed my… pic.twitter.com/gG2jWoGRIF

— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) May 12, 2026