Former NBA center Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, the NBA said Thursday in a statement.
“NBA Ambassador and 13-year veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor,” the statement read. “Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being.”
The 18th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Stanford, Collins became the first active, openly gay player in NBA history in 2013 when he came out in a Sports Illustrated article. After signing with the Brooklyn Nets in February 2014, Collins became the first publicly gay male athlete to play in one of North America’s four major pro sports.
Since then, Collins, 46, married his longtime boyfriend and Hollywood star, Brunson Green.
In his final NBA seasons, playing for the Boston Celtics (2012-13), Washington Wizards (2013) and the Nets (2014), he wore No. 98 to honor former University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in 1998 in a case that brought international attention and impacted state and federal hate crime legislation. That jersey, which was among the league’s top online sellers at the time, now sits at the Smithsonian Institution.
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic in 2023, Collins reflected on how the public perceives professional athletes coming out and noted the work that remains regarding male athletes disclosing their sexual orientation.
“We need more and more male athletes to step forward so that we can get to that day when, after the game is over, everyone’s significant other is in the family room waiting for them along with everybody else’s, regardless of gender,” Collins said.
As a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and diversity, Collins remains involved in the NBA realm. His brother, Jarron, is an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Jason is active in the NBA Cares community and engages in public speaking to create visibility and inclusion in sports.
(Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)
