NBA's first openly gay player, Jason Collins, dies of brain cancer at 47

Collins, who was the NBA's first openly gay player, had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer.

By Kevin Killough

Published: May 13, 2026 12:44pm

The NBA's first openly gay player, Jason Collins, has died of brain cancer. He was 47.

Collins played for the National Basketball Association for over 13 years.

Collins told ESPN in December 2025 that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer. He had tried experimental treatments in Singapore, and these were effective enough to allow him to attend events around the NBA All-Star weekend.

The cancer returned, and he died at his home surrounded by family, SFGATE reported Wednesday.

"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," Collins' family said in a statement shared by the NBA.