yahoo - 5/13/2026 2:42:04 AM - GMT (+2 )
Jason Collings, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died May 12 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47.
Collins made history in April 2013 when he came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues. The 13-year NBA veteran played for six franchises and later became an NBA Cares Ambassador.
Survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, his twin brother Jarron, tributes to Collins poured in from basketball and beyond.
That included the Human Rights Campaign.
"To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today," said HRC president Kelley Robinson. "He came out as gay -- while still playing -- at a time when men's athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his pot-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed th conversation. He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47. Out hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was among the first to pay tribute, praising Collins for his impact both on and off the court.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of NBA Cares Ambassador and former NBA player Jason Collins:
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community… pic.twitter.com/7mygdEsDCs
Collins was drafted 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, but immediate traded to the Nets, who remembered him on May 12.
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jason Collins.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026
Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He was a constant in our locker… pic.twitter.com/mN9KUyJ8oK
Collins played just part of the 2012-13 season with the Boston Celtics, but they were the first team to pay tribute to him.
Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026
May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj
Collins played college basketball at Stanford, earning third-team All-American honors in 2001, and finished his career ranked first in school history in field goal percentage and third in blocked shots.
The Stanford Basketball community mourns the loss of Jason Collins.
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) May 12, 2026
Our love and support are with his husband, Brunson, brother, Jarron, and all of his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/GX2Ogdcjpc
ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, who had known Collins since high school, was the reporter he trusted to help tell his story when he went public with his cancer diagnosis in December.
No one could have fought this cancer with more grace and courage than my friend, Jason Collins. Devastated for him, his family and this world to lose such a bright light. But what a legacy he’s left us. https://t.co/3Hg5MOU82G
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 12, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Collins tributes: NBA world reacts to death of trailblazer
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