First openly gay NBA player Jason Collins dies at 47

Former NBA player Jason Collins has died at the age of 47 after battling brain cancer, his family has confirmed.

Collins passed away following what his family described as a “valiant fight” against glioblastoma, an aggressive and inoperable form of brain cancer.

According to the BBC on Wednesday, the announcement of his death was made through the National Basketball Association.

Collins publicly revealed in 2025 that he had been diagnosed with the disease after experiencing difficulties with concentration. Medical tests later confirmed a fast-growing brain tumour, which he once described as “a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain.”

He had been undergoing treatment aimed at slowing the progression of the illness, including chemotherapy, medication such as Avastin, and specialised care abroad.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to Collins, describing his influence as extending well beyond basketball.

He said Collins helped make the NBA, WNBA and wider sporting community more inclusive and welcoming, adding that he would be remembered for both his courage and his humanity.

Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first active male athlete in a major American team sport to publicly come out as gay.

His announcement, published in Sports Illustrated, was widely regarded as a landmark moment for LGBTQ visibility in professional sports.

At the time, he was a free agent, and uncertainty surrounded his future in the league. He later returned to the NBA, signing again with the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise where he began his career.

During a 13-season professional career, Collins played for six NBA teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. He was known for his defensive strength and reliable presence on the court.

The Brooklyn Nets said they were “heartbroken” by his passing, describing him as a respected teammate and a kind, thoughtful individual whose courage helped advance the sport.

After retiring in 2014, Collins was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and remained active in advocacy for inclusion in sports. He also spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention alongside his twin brother and former NBA player Jarron Collins.

Former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery described him as one of the university’s standout players, noting that his death was a sad moment for basketball.

Collins is being remembered globally as a trailblazing athlete whose openness and courage reshaped conversations around LGBTQ inclusion in professional sports.