New York, May 13, 2026 Jason Collins dies at 47: First openly gay NBA player passes away
Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player and a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports, has died at age 47 after a battle with a brain tumor, his family announced on May 13, 2026.
A Pioneer for LGBTQ+ Athletes
Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first active NBA player to publicly come out as gay, a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports. At the time, he was playing for the Washington Wizards, though he spent much of his career with the New Jersey Nets, where he began his NBA journey in 2001.
"Jason changed the lives of so many people in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him, as well as those who admired him from afar," his family wrote in a statement. His announcement in 2013 was met with widespread support from teammates, fans, and fellow athletes, helping to shift attitudes toward LGBTQ+ athletes in major league sports.