New Jersey Nets

Jason Collins, a former center for the Brooklyn Nets and a trailblazer in professional sports, has died at the age of 47. His death comes after an eight-month battle with an aggressive brain tumor. Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first active player in the NBA to come out as openly gay. He was widely recognized for his courage in sharing his truth and for his subsequent advocacy for inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights. His decision to come out was described by him as making his life "so much better" by allowing him to live as his "true self." Collins' passing is a significant event, marking the loss of a pioneering figure who inspired many and contributed to a more inclusive environment within the NBA and beyond.