The NBA world was saddened by the death of Jason Collins, the league’s first openly gay player, who passed away on Tuesday at 47 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma.
Tributes poured in from across the association, with condolences sent to Collins and his loved ones following the death of the 7’0″ NBA veteran, who played center for six teams over 13 seasons.
NBA Community Expresses Sadness Over the Death of Jason Collins
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement Tuesday on the passing of the Stanford standout, who later became an NBA Cares Ambassador. He offered his condolences to Collins’ husband, Brunson Green; his twin brother, Jarron; and his immediate family and friends.
“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,” Silver said on the league’s X account.
“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. 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.
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues,” Silver added.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of NBA Cares Ambassador and former NBA player Jason Collins:
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community… pic.twitter.com/7mygdEsDCs
— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026
One of Collins’ former teams, the Boston Celtics, tweeted about the center’s death, describing him as a “beloved member” of the organization.
“Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston. May he rest in peace 💚,” the Celtics said.
Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.
May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026
Boston Globe NBA writer Gary Washburn, who covered Jason during his journey to the NBA and battle with cancer, said it was devastating to hear of the death of someone who was a kind-hearted man and always willing to “help others.”
“I covered Jason and Jarron Collins at Harvard-Westlake High School, watched them win a California state championship, followed their journey to the NBA, Jason’s stop in Boston where he made history and just talked to Jason three months ago when openly discussed the cancer battle he was fighting valiantly,” Washburn wrote.
“This is devastating because he was such a bright spirit, a gentle giant, a genuinely kind man who gave every ounce of himself to help others until the very end. Rest well Jason.”
I covered Jason and Jarron Collins at Harvard-Westlake High School, watched them win a California state championship, followed their journey to the NBA, Jason’s stop in Boston where he made history and just talked to Jason three months ago when openly discussed the cancer battle…
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) May 12, 2026
“Pablo Finds Out” senior producer and veteran writer/editor Matt Sullivan also paid tribute to Collins, posting an excerpt he wrote about the center’s first game back in the NBA after coming out.
“Jason Collins told me the story about his first game back in the NBA after coming out — five years later, on Pride Night at Barclays Center, while reporting my book on the Nets. RIP,” Sullivan captioned the excerpt.
Jason Collins told me the story about his first game back in the NBA after coming out — five years later, on Pride Night at Barclays Center, while reporting my book on the Nets. RIP. pic.twitter.com/03gkOMKaBg
— Matt Sullivan (@sullduggery) May 12, 2026
Collins’ death occurred on the same day as the death of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died at age 29. Per ESPN, authorities found the San Jose and Gonzaga standout dead from a possible drug overdose in a home in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
NBA on NBC and Peacock posted a one-minute video clip reporting the deaths of Collins and Clarke, accompanied by the caption, “The NBA Showtime team mourns the loss of Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins.”
The NBA Showtime team mourns the loss of Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins. pic.twitter.com/TITMjPTAf2
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 12, 2026
The HBCU Pulse CEO and radio host, Randall Barnes, and NBA Central expressed their condolences to both players, with Barnes saying it was a “very sad day for the NBA community.” NBA Central called it a “tough day in the NBA world.”
ESPN’s Sam Block sent his prayers to the families of Collins and Clarke, writing, “Rest in Peace, Brandon Clarke. Rest in Peace, Jason Collins. Awful day in the NBA. Prayers to both families.”
Access Sports Managing Partner Mike Beauvais recalled an inspirational quote Collins shared in December 2025 after announcing his cancer diagnosis, describing the center as “a trailblazer until the end.”
Jason Collins in December, announcing his glioblastoma diagnosis:
“The first person through the wall always gets bloodied.”
A trailblazer until the end. Rest in peace. https://t.co/w2rAeIYnPH pic.twitter.com/vA3iiYWzdm
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) May 12, 2026
Collins played a total of 735 regular-season games for the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston, and Washington Wizards. He returned to the Nets during the 2013-14 campaign, his final season in the NBA.
He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game, shooting 41.1% from the field and 64.7% from the free-throw line.
In April 2013, Collins publicly came out in an essay published by Sports Illustrated, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues.
