Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, has died following a battle with brain cancer. He was 47. The former center came out publicly in 2013, becoming a landmark figure for LGBTQ+ visibility in men’s professional sports.
Collins’ family confirmed his passing and thanked fans, former teammates and organisations for their support during his illness. Tributes have poured in from across the league, with many emphasising both his role as a teammate and his courage in coming out while still an active player. Complex’s obituary highlights key moments from his career and his impact beyond the box score here.
His decision to come out in a Sports Illustrated essay more than a decade ago is widely cited as a turning point in how the NBA approached LGBTQ+ inclusion. Collins later signed with the Brooklyn Nets, briefly sharing the court again while wearing No. 98 in honour of Matthew Shepard.
@cnn Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and a prominent champion of inclusion, has died at 47 after battling an aggressive brain tumor, his family said.
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For many queer fans and athletes, Collins’ life is part of the reason current players can show up more fully as themselves. Complex’s piece situates his story in the broader history of out athletes in major American sports and captures the emotional weight of his loss for both basketball and LGBTQ+ communities.
