Jason Collins, NBA’s first openly gay player, dies at 47. See his trailblazing career.
Updated May 13, 2026, 8:23 a.m. ET
Jason Collins, 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. See his trailblazing career.
Monica Schipper, Getty ImagesCollins 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. See his trailblazing career.
Portrait of forward Jason Collins #35 of the New Jersey Nets during the NBA game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 11, 2001. The Nets defeated the Bulls 107-93.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Jason Collins #35 of the New Jersey Nets fights for a rebound against Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 and Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs on May 18, 2007 at the Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Jason Collins #34 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Orlando Magic during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 28, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
Jason Collins #98 of the Boston Celtics splits the defenders underneath the basket in front of Gerald Henderson #9 of the Charlotte Bobcats during the game on January 14, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jared Wickerham, Getty Images
Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls tries to recapture the ball under pressure from Jason Collins #98 (L) and Garrett Temple #17 of the Washington Wizards at the United Center on April 17, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Jason Collins #98 of the Washington Wizards rebounds against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 17, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Wizards 95-92.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
NBA player Jason Collins and former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Harry How, Getty Images
Jason Collins attends HBO's Post 2014 Golden Globe Awards Party held at Circa 55 Restaurant on January 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Jason Collins #98 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a basket with teammate Alan Anderson #6 during a game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on February 27, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. Collins wore #98 in honor of Matthew Shepard who was killed as part of a hate crime in 1998 near Laramie, Wyoming.
Justin Edmonds, Getty Images
Former NBA player Jason Collins speaks onstage at The Human Rights Campaign 2017 Los Angeles Gala Dinner at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on March 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Emma McIntyre
Jason Collins (R) of the New Jersey Nets guards Shaquille O'Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during game two of the NBA Finals on June 7, 2002 at the Stapes Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 106-83 to lead the best-of-seven game series 2-0.
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