Jason Collins, the former NBA center who made history as the league’s first openly gay active player, died on Tuesday at the age of 47 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Collins, who grew up in Los Angeles and starred at Harvard‑Westlake School, had once led the Wolverines to back‑to‑back California Interscholastic Federation championships alongside his twin brother Jarron, a run that helped the program compile a 123‑10 record from 1994 to 1997.
At Stanford University he earned All‑Pac‑10 and All‑American honors, a foundation that propelled him to a 14‑year professional career in which he amassed 2,621 points, 2,706 rebounds and 626 assists.
Drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2001 before a quick trade to the New Jersey Nets, Collins later contributed to the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, leaving the league with a reputation for steadfast defense and quiet leadership.
In 2013 he revealed his sexual orientation in a Sports Illustrated essay, a moment that drew public praise from Kobe Bryant, then‑NBA Commissioner David Stern and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, underscoring the broader cultural resonance of his announcement.
Two years ago the NBA disclosed that Collins was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor; in December he went public with a Stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis, prompting an outpouring of support from teammates, fans and community leaders.
Off the court Collins married film producer Brunson Green in 2025, a partnership that reflects his continued commitment to family and advocacy.
A Trailblazer On and Off the Court
Tributes have highlighted not only his on‑court contributions but also his role as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in professional sports, a legacy that will endure through the Harvard‑Westlake program, the California Interscholastic Federation and the many institutions he inspired.