Former NBA player Jason Collins He died on May 12, 2026 at the age of 47 after battling stage IV glioblastoma. Best known for being the first openly gay active player in a major North American professional sports league, Jason made history on and off the court during his 13-year basketball career.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma,” his family said in a statement released through the NBA. “Jason changed his life 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 greatly.”
Learn more about his life, including his career and health, below.
He played 13 seasons in the NBA
Jason made a name for himself at Stanford, where he helped turn the Cardinal into one of the best teams in college basketball. After being selected in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, he spent 13 seasons in the league playing for teams including the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.
After news of his death spread, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver “Jason’s influence and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and the greater sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” said Jason. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.”
He added: “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking down barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that marked his life and touched so many others.”
He made history as the first openly gay active player in the NBA
In 2013, Jason made history when he publicly came out as gay while still an active NBA player, becoming the first openly gay athlete in a major men’s professional sports league in North America. The news was revealed in A Sports Illustrated The cover story opened with the words, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA player. I’m black. And I’m gay.” At the time, he was a free agent and later signed with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season.
“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything,” Jason later told ESPN. “It was like I feel like I’m good enough to play in the NBA, and by the way, I’m gay. Just so everyone knows, the cards are on the table, this is my place.” At the time, he was a free agent before later signing with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season. He added: “Fortunately, the Nets were the only team that gave me the opportunity to try out.”
Before he came out publicly, he was engaged to the former WNBA player Caroline Moss. The couple ended their engagement in 2009. In the August 2013 issue of the magazine UniversalityCaroline spoke about the breakup, writing: “A month before I married the man I loved, he called off the wedding. I had no idea why. He and I had been together for eight years. We were planning to have children, build a family.”
“After nearly four years, I have my answer.”
He had a twin brother who also played in the NBA
Jason’s identical twin brother, Jaron Collinsalso played in the NBA after the two starred together at Stanford University and Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
The brothers, who were born just eight minutes apart, were selected in the 2001 NBA draft, and both went on to have long professional basketball careers. Jaron later became an NBA coach, winning championships as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors before joining the New Orleans Pelicans.
Shortly before Jason’s death, Jaron accepted the inaugural Bill Walton World Champion Award on behalf of his brother.
He married film producer Bronson Greene in 2025
After more than a decade together, the former NBA star has married an Oscar-nominated producer Bronson Green In May 2025 during a ceremony in Austin, Texas. Bronson is known for producing films including Helpwhich earned him an Academy Award nomination.
The couple first met shortly after Jason came out publicly in 2013 and remained together until his death.
He died at the age of 47 after a battle with brain cancer
Jason died on May 12, 2026, at the age of 47, after battling stage IV glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He revealed his diagnosis in December 2025, explaining that doctors discovered a tumor after he began suffering from fatigue and headaches.
He has undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy while continuing to speak openly about his health journey The athlete.
