Jason Collins, NBA's first openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain tumor
NPR • • sports
Key Points:
- Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player and a pioneer for inclusion, has died at age 47 after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor with a low survival rate.
- Collins played 13 NBA seasons with six teams, revealing his sexuality in 2013 near the end of his career, which helped advance LGBTQ+ acceptance in professional sports.
- He was recently honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award for his leadership and advocacy, though he was too ill to attend the ceremony.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins' impact beyond basketball, highlighting his role in making the league more inclusive and his humanitarian legacy.
- Collins' family expressed gratitude for the support received and remembered him as an inspiration, while former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery emphasized his unique talent and character.