Former NBA center Jason Collins, who broke the league’s silence on gay athletes with a 2013 Sports Illustrated essay, died at 47. NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the cause as glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor disclosed by Collins last December. The 13‑season veteran played for six teams, most notably the Brooklyn Nets, before retiring in 2014.

Collins entered the league in 2001 as the 18th overall pick, a period when size dominated the paint. Though never a scoring star, his defensive presence helped the Nets reach the 2002‑03 NBA Finals. His 2013 coming‑out sparked debate about LGBTQ acceptance in major U.S. sports, yet garnered support from peers including Kobe Bryant and former rival Tim Hardaway, illustrating a cultural shift.

After hanging up his jersey, Collins became a speaker, activist, and 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign surrogate. He married film producer Brunson Green in 2025 and is survived by his twin brother Jarron, now an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. His legacy endures as a catalyst for inclusion across professional athletics.