Jason Collins, first openly gay active NBA player, dies after cancer battle

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Briefing Summary

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NEWSAR · AI

Jason Collins, the first openly gay active player in the NBA, has died at the age of 47 after a battle with cancer. Collins had been undergoing treatment for a stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, which he publicly disclosed in September. He made history in 2013 when he became the first active male athlete in a major North American professional sports league to come out as gay. Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA for several teams, including the New Jersey Nets, whom he helped reach back-to-back NBA Finals. His family confirmed his death, stating he fought valiantly against the illness and was an inspiration to many.

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Article analysis

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Key claims

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His family stated, 'We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma.'

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Collins helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.

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Collins became the first active male athlete in one of North America’s four major professional sports leagues to publicly come out as gay in 2013.

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Collins had been battling a brain tumour and later disclosed he had stage four glioblastoma.

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Jason Collins, the first openly gay active NBA player, has died at the age of 47 after battling cancer.

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Full report

2 min read · 352 words

Jason Collins, first openly gay active NBA player, dies after cancer battleThe 213cm centre, who publicly came out as gay in 2013, had been battling a brain tumour.Jason Collins, the first openly gay active player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), has died at the age of 47 after battling cancer.“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” the family said in a statement on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Bizarre own goal keeps Ronaldo, Al-Nassr waiting for Saudi Pro League titlelist 2 of 4Basketball star Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies forward, dies at age 29list 3 of 4‘Never give up’: Meet Curacao, the smallest country at a FIFA World Cuplist 4 of 4Can you identify all 48 teams in World Cup 2026?This article will be opened in a new browser windowend of listCollins revealed in September that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour and later disclosed he had stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.The 7-footer (2.13 metres tall) made headlines in 2013 when he became the first active male athlete in one of North America’s four major professional sports leagues to publicly come out as gay.The centre played 13 seasons in the NBA. He was selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 draft, then was traded to the then-New Jersey Nets on draft night. He also had stints with the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.Collins helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 alongside teammates Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.After a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated disclosing he was gay, Collins received widespread support across the sports world, including from then-United States President Barack Obama.“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his family said. “Our family will miss him dearly.”Arn Tellem, former agent of Collins and current vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons, said his decision to come out changed lives.

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