Jason Collins, a pioneer in NBA history, has died at the age of 47 after an eight-month battle with brain cancer.
His family confirmed Tuesday that Collins had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer with a low survival rate.
“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 in a statement released through the National Basketball Association.
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA for six franchises, including the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
In 2013, Collins publicly revealed he was gay in an essay for Sports Illustrated, becoming the league’s first active openly gay player.
“If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. No one has, so I’m raising my hand,” Collins wrote at the time.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins “helped make the NBA, WNBA and the greater sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson, and family members, including his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins.
