NBA pioneer Jason Collins dies at 47 from brain tumor after coming out as first openly gay player
Consensus Summary
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player who came out in 2013, died at 47 after an eight-month battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. His family announced his death on May 13, 2026, praising his impact as a pioneer for inclusion and ambassador for the league. Collins played 13 seasons across six teams, including the Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets, where he helped reach two NBA Finals. Just before his death, he was honored with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award, accepted by his twin brother Jarron Collins. His career stats included averages of 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, with a peak season of 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 2004-05.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jason Collins was the first openly gay NBA player, coming out in 2013 during his career's final years
- Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA across six different teams
- He was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma (an aggressive brain tumor) and died at age 47
- Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award last week, accepted by his twin brother Jarron Collins
- His family released a statement through the NBA thanking supporters and medical teams, saying 'Jason changed lives in unexpected ways'
- Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game over his career
- He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals
- Collins' best season was 2004-05, averaging 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Nets
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Collins played for the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets (Guardian also mentions Nets but not Celtics explicitly)
- Collins' career stats: 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, with a peak of 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 2004-05
- The Guardian does not mention the Celtics as one of his teams
- Explicitly lists Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets as two of his teams (ABC mentions six teams but does not list Celtics)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Collins played for six teams including the Boston Celtics, but the Guardian only explicitly lists two (Nets and Celtics) without confirming the full count of six
Source Articles
First openly gay NBA player Jason Collins dies at 47 of brain tumour
Collins, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died from an aggressive brain tumour, his family announced Tuesday.
Jason Collins, NBA's first out gay player, dies aged 47 of brain tumor
Collins, a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the NBA, died after eight-month battle with glioblastoma Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced on Tuesday. Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises, including the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets . He revealed