Jason Collins: NBA’s first openly gay player dies at 47 of brain cancer – ‘his impact and influence went beyond basketball’ | NBA news
Jason Collins, the first NBA player to come out as a champion of inclusion and ambassador for the league, has died at the age of 47 from brain cancer, his family said Tuesday.
Collins spent 13 years as a major leaguer for six different franchises. He came out in 2013 as gay, an announcement that came late in his career.
Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, last year and has a very poor survival rate.
“Jason changed people’s lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement released by the NBA.
“We appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and the exceptional care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
Last week Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Conference. He was too ill to attend and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, took him in.
“I told my brother this before I came here: He’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” said Jarron Collins when he accepted the 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 had his best season with 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 2004-05.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: “Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and the greater sports community more inclusive and welcoming for generations to come.”
“He has exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13 years in the NBA and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.
“Jason will be remembered not only for breaking boundaries, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our league.”
