Former Nets center Jason Collins dies from brain cancer at 47

Former Nets  center Jason Collins has passed away at 47 after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, his family announced. Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2001 to 2014, including eight with the Nets organization. In 2013, he became the first active, openly gay player in NBA history and from all four major American sports.

Collins was drafted by the Nets with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Stanford and helped the team reach back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. The big man spent the first seven seasons of his career in New Jersey before playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washing Wizards. He returned to the Nets in 2014 following their move to Brooklyn, playing 22 games during the 2013-14 season.

For his career, Collins averaged 4. 3 points and 4. 4 rebounds per game over 735 contests.

Collins announced his cancer diagnosis in December 2025 and tried experimental treatments in Singapore over the winter, allowing him to return home and be active, per ESPN . Although, the disease recently returned and he died peacefully at home surrounded by family. NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Collins' passing and thanked him for making the league more inclusive.