Former NBA Player Jason Collins Undergoing Treatment for Brain Tumor

Jason Collins, who played 13 years in the NBA for six different teams, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, according to a statement released Thursday, September 11, on behalf of his family.

“NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor,” the statement read. “Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being.”

The Houston Rockets drafted Collins, now 46, with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft before trading him to the then New Jersey Nets in a draft-night deal. He played for the Nets until 2008, when the team dealt him to the Memphis Grizzlies. Collins also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards before finishing his career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014.

“Sending our love and support to @jasoncollins98 and his family,” the Nets wrote via social media on Thursday.

“Our thoughts are with our friend and colleague, Jason Collins, and his family,” read a post via X from the NBA.

Collins is best known for being the first openly gay player in NBA history and the first active male athlete in any of the four major men’s sports leagues to come out.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” he wrote in a 2013 essay for Sports Illustrated.

Collins also revealed in the essay that he wore No. 98 as a tribute to Matthew Shepard, the University of Wyoming student who was murdered in 1998, leading to a push for federal hate crime legislation to include gay people.

Then a member of the Nets, Collins received widespread support from around the league with his announcement.

“Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue,” former NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement at the time.

“Proud of @jasoncollins34,” the late Kobe Bryant wrote via Twitter, now called X. “Don’t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU”

“So proud of you, Jason Collins!” former First Lady Michelle Obama added. “This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo”

Prior to coming out, Collins was in a long-term relationship with former WNBA player Carolyn Moos. The two were engaged, but called it off in 2009. Collins married longtime partner and film producer Brunson Green in May 2025.