Jason Collins, the NBA center who became the first openly gay active player in a major American professional sport when he came out publicly in 2013, died on May 12, 2026, at age 47 following a battle with a brain tumor. Collins played 13 seasons across multiple NBA teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets.

Collins made history in April 2013 when he authored a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated announcing he was gay, becoming the first active player in the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL to publicly come out. The announcement was widely praised by athletes, politicians, and advocates, including then-President Barack Obama, who personally called Collins to express his support.

After his public announcement, Collins went on to sign with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014, playing a handful of games before retiring. His decision to come out was broadly credited with helping to shift attitudes toward LGBTQ inclusion in professional sports and inspiring other athletes to speak openly about their identities.

Collins is survived by family and longtime friends, many of whom paid tribute to his courage and character. Tributes poured in from former teammates, NBA officials, and public figures across the political spectrum following news of his death. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement honoring Collins's legacy both as a player and as a pioneer.

Collins graduated from Stanford University and was a twin brother of Jarron Collins, who also played in the NBA. He was 47 years old at the time of his death.