{"id":131747,"date":"2026-05-12T19:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T23:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/jason-collins-nbas-first-openly-gay-player-dead-at-47-131747"},"modified":"2026-05-12T19:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T23:30:12","slug":"jason-collins-nbas-first-openly-gay-player-dead-at-47","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/jason-collins-nbas-first-openly-gay-player-dead-at-47-131747","title":{"rendered":"Jason Collins, NBA’s first openly gay player, dead at 47"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Jason Collins<\/a>, a longtime NBA role player who became widely known in 2013 as the first openly gay active player in a major American sports league, died Tuesday at age 47.<\/p>\n

Collins passed away following an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer <\/a>he had been fighting since last August.<\/p>\n

FORMER SYRACUSE, INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL PRO TIANA MANGAKAHIA DEAD FOLLOWING CANCER DIAGNOSIS, FAMILY SAYS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The ex-center\u2019s death comes as the NBA is also mourning Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, with the losses unfolding within a short span.<\/p>\n

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Tuesday regarding the loss:<\/p>\n

“Jason Collins\u2019 impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA<\/span> and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.<\/p>\n

GRIZZLIES FORWARD BRANDON CLARKE DEAD AT 29<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others. On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason\u2019s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”<\/p>\n

Collins built a long NBA career as a role-playing center. The 7-footer out of Stanford averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds across 13 seasons and was primarily used in defensive and physical matchups.<\/p>\n

Collins saw rotational minutes for the New Jersey Nets during their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.<\/p>\n

In 2013, Collins drew national attention when he came out in a first-person essay for Sports Illustrated<\/em>, becoming the first active NBA player to do so. He returned to play one final season with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014 before later serving as an NBA Cares Ambassador.<\/p>\n

Collins is survived by his husband, film producer Brunson Green, and his twin brother, Jarron, who followed a similar path through Stanford and the NBA.<\/p>\n

Send us your thoughts: <\/em><\/strong>alejandro.avila@outkick.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a> \/ Follow along on X: @<\/em><\/strong>alejandroaveela<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source – https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/sports\/jason-collins-nbas-first-openly-gay-player-dead-47 <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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