It was announced Thursday morning that former NBA player and league ambassador Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.
A statement was presented by the NBA on behalf of Collins and his family, welcoming support and prayers, but also kindly requesting privacy as they tend to their loved one.
Collins, 46, was drafted in 2001 along with twin brother Jarron and played 13 years in the NBA for six different teams, with the majority of that time (eight years) spent with the New Jersey (and eventually, Brooklyn) Nets. He made two NBA Finals (2002 and 2003) appearances early in his career with the Nets as a role player, though he never won a championship over his career with the Nets losing to the Lakers and Spurs in consecutive finals series.
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In 2013, Collins came out as the first openly gay active player in a men’s North American sports league. Collins’ announcement helped spark NBA involvement in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and wanting to provide a safe space for anyone in the community. Following his announcement, the NBA became the first sports league to participate in the New York City Pride Parade.
Collins last played in the 2013-14 season, closing out his career with the Nets, averaging just 7.8 minutes per game over his final campaign. He announced his retirement from the league on November 20, 2014, with a feature in The Players’ Tribune, aptly titled “I’m Out.”,
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