The former NBA player Jason Collins has passed away after battling brain cancer
13 may 2026 в 14:13
Former NBA player Jason Collins passed away on May 12, 2026, at the age of 47 after battling stage 4 glioblastoma. He became known as the first openly gay player in a major professional sports league in North America, leaving a significant mark both on and off the court during his 13-year basketball career.
«With heavy hearts, we announce that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, has passed away after a courageous battle with glioblastoma», - his family said in a statement released through the NBA. «Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and became an inspiration to all who knew him, as well as to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the love and prayers shown over the past eight months, as well as for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly».
Jason rose to fame at Stanford University, helping the Cardinal team become one of the best in college basketball. He was selected in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets and spent 13 seasons in the league, playing for teams such as the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards.
Following the announcement of his death, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted that Jason’s influence «extended far beyond basketball, as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and the broader sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an ambassador for NBA Cares».
He added, «Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched many others».
In 2013, Jason made history when he publicly came out as gay while still an active NBA player, becoming the first openly gay player in a major professional men’s sports league in North America. He announced this in a cover story for Sports Illustrated that began with the words: «I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay». At the time, he was a free agent and later signed with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season.
«When I decided to come out, there was no scandal or anything like that», - Jason later told ESPN. «It was like: I feel I’m 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’m at». At that time, he was a free agent before signing with the Brooklyn Nets. «Fortunately, the Nets were the team that gave me the opportunity to try out», - he added.
Before publicly coming out, he was engaged to former WNBA player Carolyn Moos. The couple broke off their engagement in 2009. In the August 2013 issue of Cosmopolitan, Carolyn spoke about the breakup, writing: «A month before I was supposed to marry the man I loved, he called off the wedding. I didn’t know why. We had been together for eight years. We were planning to have children, to build a family».
«Almost four years later, I got my answer».
Jason’s identical twin brother, Jarron Collins, also played in the NBA after they both competed at Stanford and at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
Born just eight minutes apart, the brothers were both selected in the 2001 NBA Draft and both went on to have long professional basketball careers. Jarron later became an NBA coach, winning championships as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors before joining the staff of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Shortly before Jason’s death, Jarron accepted the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award on behalf of his brother.
After more than a decade of living together, the former NBA player married Oscar-nominated producer Branson Greene in May 2025 at a ceremony in Austin, Texas. Branson is best known as a producer…
«With heavy hearts, we announce that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, has passed away after a courageous battle with glioblastoma», - his family said in a statement released through the NBA. «Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and became an inspiration to all who knew him, as well as to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the love and prayers shown over the past eight months, as well as for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly».
Jason rose to fame at Stanford University, helping the Cardinal team become one of the best in college basketball. He was selected in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets and spent 13 seasons in the league, playing for teams such as the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards.
Following the announcement of his death, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted that Jason’s influence «extended far beyond basketball, as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and the broader sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an ambassador for NBA Cares».
He added, «Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched many others».
In 2013, Jason made history when he publicly came out as gay while still an active NBA player, becoming the first openly gay player in a major professional men’s sports league in North America. He announced this in a cover story for Sports Illustrated that began with the words: «I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay». At the time, he was a free agent and later signed with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season.
«When I decided to come out, there was no scandal or anything like that», - Jason later told ESPN. «It was like: I feel I’m 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’m at». At that time, he was a free agent before signing with the Brooklyn Nets. «Fortunately, the Nets were the team that gave me the opportunity to try out», - he added.
Before publicly coming out, he was engaged to former WNBA player Carolyn Moos. The couple broke off their engagement in 2009. In the August 2013 issue of Cosmopolitan, Carolyn spoke about the breakup, writing: «A month before I was supposed to marry the man I loved, he called off the wedding. I didn’t know why. We had been together for eight years. We were planning to have children, to build a family».
«Almost four years later, I got my answer».
Jason’s identical twin brother, Jarron Collins, also played in the NBA after they both competed at Stanford and at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
Born just eight minutes apart, the brothers were both selected in the 2001 NBA Draft and both went on to have long professional basketball careers. Jarron later became an NBA coach, winning championships as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors before joining the staff of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Shortly before Jason’s death, Jarron accepted the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award on behalf of his brother.
After more than a decade of living together, the former NBA player married Oscar-nominated producer Branson Greene in May 2025 at a ceremony in Austin, Texas. Branson is best known as a producer…
© Smirnova Olga
