Jason Collins, a New Jersey legend and the NBA’s first openly gay player. He was a true pioneer for LGBTQ+ athletes, and is now facing an entirely different kind of battle. The league revealed that Collins, 45, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has already begun treatment. Fans and athletes everywhere are thinking about him and his family in these “Difficult times.”
“NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor,” the NBA said in a statement. “Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being.”
According to the Daily Mail, this is gut-punch news for New Jersey basketball fans who watched Collins not only carve out a steady 13-year career as a tough, physical center but also courageously come out as gay in 2013, becoming the first openly gay athlete in any of the four major American team sports.
New Jersey Icon Jason Collins’ Legacy
For those who might not remember, Collins’ coming-out story was nothing short of groundbreaking. He wrote in Sports Illustrated: “When I was younger, I dated women. We even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. Thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.“
His honesty changed sports forever. The following season, Jason Kidd, his old New Jersey Nets teammate who turned Brooklyn Nets coach, brought him back on a 10-day contract. On February 23, 2014, Collins suited up, becoming the league’s first openly gay player to actually play in a game. And fans showed their support in a big way. Collins’ No. 98 jersey, which he chose to honor Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered in 1998, became one of the NBA’s best-sellers overnight.
While some critics tried to argue the signing was just a PR move to appeal to Brooklyn’s progressive fanbase, Kidd quickly shut that down: “Toughness, rebounding the ball, being professional. He brings a lot to the table for us.“
And Kidd wasn’t the only one who saw it as bigger than basketball. Jared Max, a gay New York-area sports radio host, told The Wall Street Journal, “There aren’t just cracks in the dam. There are places where water is flowing right through.” Collins wasn’t just another roster signing; he was a symbol of progress for gay sports fans everywhere. He has always been a favorite with the fans, and that won’t change anytime soon. “Hoping for peace and healing,” wrote one via X.
What Can the NBA Do for Jason Collins?
After retiring in November 2014, Collins continued to be an ambassador for the game and an advocate for inclusion in sports. Off the court, life has been pretty sweet for him. He and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Brunson Green, tied the knot this May in a star-studded wedding. Actress Octavia Spencer even shared a pic from the ceremony, captioning: “Welcome to the family @jasoncollins_98. You’ve chosen well, and so has he! Love you, B!“
The two had reportedly gotten engaged at the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pride Night in 2023, which makes this new health battle feel especially heartbreaking. Collins’ story has always been about resilience, whether it was banging in the post against Shaq and Tim Duncan, fighting for a roster spot in the league, or breaking one of sports’ biggest barriers. Now, he’s taking on maybe his toughest opponent yet.
The NBA family and fans across the world are sending love, prayers, and support his way. Collins has been a New Jersey Net, a teammate’s teammate, and now, he’s a fighter once again. What do you think about Jason Collins’ impact on the NBA and LGBTQ+ sports culture? Should the Brooklyn Nets honor him with a jersey retirement for what he represented?
