• Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, has died at 47 after battling glioblastoma.
• Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, in 2025.
• He was a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, being the first active male player to come out as gay in 2013.
• Collins had a 13-year NBA career and was known for his leadership and humanitarian efforts.
• His family expressed gratitude for the support received during his illness, citing Collins' inspirational impact.

Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, has passed away at the age of 47 following a courageous eight-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. His family announced his passing on May 12, noting he had undergone treatment since being diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma in December 2025, which has an extremely low survival rate. “We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins... has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” the family stated, reflecting the profound loss felt by his loved ones and the community at large, according to latimes and reuters.

Collins shared his diagnosis publicly in September 2025, stating that he was undergoing treatment to combat the inoperable tumor, describing it metaphorically as “a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball,” according to bbc and cbsnews. His announcement was a testament to his bravery, as he became a symbol for many during his time in the league.

Throughout his 13-year career, Collins played for six different NBA teams, making noteworthy contributions to the New Jersey Nets, where he helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. His performance peaked in the 2004-05 season when he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds, according to reuters and npr.

Collins broke barriers in 2013 when he became the first active male athlete in one of North America's four major professional sports leagues to publicly come out as gay. His story garnered widespread support, including praise from major figures such as then-President Barack Obama, marking a significant moment in sports history for LGBTQ+ representation, as noted by aljazeera and latimes.

Jason Collins not only left a legacy in basketball but also in his advocacy for inclusion and acceptance within sports. His contributions were recognized by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who stated, “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him,” underlining Collins' lasting influence on future generations in the sporting community, according to cbsnews and npr.