Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, has died at the age of 47 after a valiant fight with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.
Collins passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family members after the cancer returned in recent weeks, his family confirmed in a statement released through the NBA.
He publicly revealed his diagnosis in November during an interview with ESPN, explaining that doctors had diagnosed him with stage 4 glioblastoma and initially warned he could have as little as several weeks to a few months without treatment.
Collins traveled to Singapore earlier this year to undergo experimental treatments that were not yet approved in the United States, which initially showed encouraging results, allowing him to return home and attend public events.
However, the cancer later returned, ultimately leading to his death.
Collins' family and the NBA paid tribute to him, saying his impact extended far beyond basketball and helped make sports more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.
Collins retired in 2014 after a 13-year NBA career that included spells with several teams, and made history in 2013 when he came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in any of North America's four major professional sports leagues.
He is survived by his husband Brunson Green, his parents Portia and Paul Collins, and his twin brother Jarron Collins.
