Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, has died aged 47, his family said on Tuesday.
He had been dealing with a brain tumour for eight months.
A statement from his family released through the NBA said: "We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar."
Collins revealed he was gay in 2013 towards the end of a 13-year NBA career in which he played for six teams, twice reaching the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets.
