The 47-year-old had announced last year that he was suffering from a form of brain cancer.
Jason Collins, the NBA's first active openly gay player, has died at the age of 47 just six months after announcing he had brain cancer.
Collins said in December that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 gliobastoma, a form of brain cancer. The Northridge native attended Harvard-Westlake School before playing at Stanford University. Throughout his NBA career, Collins played for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and more. More than 10 year after beginning his professional career, Collins public came out as gay.
The following year, his former New Jersey Nets teammate, Jason Kidd, who was then the coach of the Brooklyn Nets, helped convince the team to sign Collins. In February 2014, Collins took the court in a game against the Lakers at Staples Center, becoming the first active openly gay NBA player -- and the first such player in any of the nation's four major sports leagues.
"Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," Collins' family said in a statement when announcing his death. "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.
''Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
"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. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others. "
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, dies from cancer at 47, family saysJason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player who has served as a global ambassador for the sport for the past decade, has died from brain cancer, his family said Tuesday. He was 47.
Read more »
Jason Collins, 1st Openly Gay NBA Player, Dead at 47 Following a Battle With Brain CancerJason Collins' death confirmed at 47 after a glioblastoma battle, family remembers the first openly gay NBA player after his passing
Read more »
NBA Pioneer Jason Collins Dies After Battle with Brain TumorJason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and an advocate for inclusivity, passed away at 47 after an eight-month battle with glioblastoma. He played 13 seasons in the league and publicly came out in 2013. His family called him an inspiration and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. He was recently honored posthumously with the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award for his impact on sports and society.
Read more »
Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, dies at 47 from brain cancerAndrew Greif is a sports reporter for NBC News Digital.
Read more »