NBA’s first openly gay player dies at 47

13 May 2026 • 7:56 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

NBA’s first openly gay player dies at 47

  • Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player and a pioneer for inclusion, has died at 47 after an eight-month battle with an aggressive brain tumor.
  • His family announced Tuesday that Collins succumbed to Stage 4 glioblastoma, a condition with an extremely low survival rate.
  • Collins made history in 2013 by publicly revealing he was gay near the end of his 13-season NBA career, playing for six different franchises.
  • NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Collins' impact, stating he helped make the sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.
  • Just last week, Collins was awarded the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award, which his twin brother Jarron Collins accepted on his behalf due to his illness.

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