Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, has died after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
Collins was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 18 overall pick in 2001. He spent 13 seasons with six different teams in the NBA.
The former Boston Celtics center was 34 when he came out of the closet in 2013. He wrote an open letter that was published in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.
“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
When the Celtics released Collins, former President Barack Obama called in a favor to the Brooklyn Nets’ minority team owner and rapper Jay Z. The Nets signed Collins to a 10-day contract in 2014.
“The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision,” Nets general manager Billy King said in a statement at the time. “We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract.”
Collins played in 22 games with the Nets that season before retiring.
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Tuesday.
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”