Former Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran and the first openly gay active player in league history, has died at the age of 47 following a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, according to reports from ESPN and NBA insider Shams Charania.
Collins’ family confirmed Tuesday that he died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, after the aggressive brain cancer returned in recent weeks.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family said in a statement released to ESPN. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him.”
Jason Collins Cause of Death: Battle With Stage 4 Glioblastoma
Collins revealed publicly in November that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer. According to ESPN, he sought experimental treatment overseas in Singapore earlier this year, briefly improving enough to attend NBA All-Star Weekend and return to public appearances.
However, the cancer returned rapidly, and Collins ultimately succumbed to the illness.
Doctors had initially warned Collins that his prognosis could be as short as six weeks to three months without treatment. Despite those odds, he pursued multiple treatment options in hopes of extending both his life and quality of living.
Jason Collins Hawks Career and Defensive Impact
Collins joined the Atlanta Hawks in 2009, bringing veteran leadership and defensive toughness to a playoff-caliber roster. He later re-signed with the team in 2010 and played a key role during one of the franchise’s most competitive stretches in the early 2010s.
During the 2010–11 season, Collins delivered one of the defining moments of his Hawks tenure in the playoffs, helping Atlanta defeat the Orlando Magic in the first round. Tasked with guarding All-Star center Dwight Howard, Collins drew widespread praise for his physical defense.
GettyJason Collins contests a shot at the rim during his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, showcasing the defensive presence that defined his role in the NBA.
After Game 4 of that series, then-Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy called Collins’ performance “the best defense on [Howard] all year,” highlighting his value in high-stakes matchups.
Across his Hawks tenure, Collins provided toughness, experience and defensive reliability — traits that defined his NBA career. In 103 games with Atlanta, Collins averaged 1.6 rebounds, 1.5 points and 0.3 assists, reflecting his role as a defensive anchor during the Hawks’ playoff runs.
Historic NBA Legacy as First Openly Gay Player
Beyond his on-court contributions, Collins left a lasting mark on the league in 2013 when he publicly came out as gay in a Sports Illustrated cover story. He became the first active male athlete in a major North American professional sports league to do so.
“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal,” Collins told ESPN in a 2025 interview. “It was just me saying, ‘This is who I am.’”
His announcement was widely praised and drew support from across the sports world, including former President Barack Obama, who personally called Collins to commend his courage.
Collins later signed with the Brooklyn Nets and finished his career in 2014, completing a 13-year run that included stops in New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington and Brooklyn.
NBA Community Mourns Jason Collins
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the NBA community, honoring both his playing career and his broader impact on the sport and society.
Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, and his twin brother, Jarron Collins, an NBA coach.
His legacy, both as a player and a pioneer, remains deeply embedded in the game.
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