Former NBA Center Jason Collins Begins Treatment After Brain Tumor Diagnosis
NBA says the 13-year veteran and league ambassador has started cancer treatment and has asked for privacy
Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has begun cancer treatment, the league said in a statement Thursday.
"NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor," the statement said. "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 announcement did not provide further medical details or a timeline for his treatment.
Collins, who spent parts of 13 seasons in the NBA, became a prominent figure both on and off the court. He and his twin brother, Jarron, played together at Stanford and both entered the NBA in 2001. Known during his playing days as a defensive-minded center, Collins was largely closeted until he publicly acknowledged he was gay in May 2013 while a free agent.
The following season, former Nets teammate Jason Kidd brought Collins to Brooklyn, where Kidd was coaching the newly relocated franchise. On Feb. 23, 2014, Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets and in doing so became the NBA's first openly gay player. He remained with the team for the rest of that season and retired the following November. The league now lists him as an NBA ambassador.
The news comes months after Collins married producer Brunson Green in May. Green, 57, is known for his work in Hollywood and earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination for the film The Help. Social media posts from friends and colleagues marked the couple's wedding earlier this year.
The NBA did not specify where Collins is receiving treatment or which medical providers are involved. The league's statement asked for privacy as Collins and his family focus on his health.
Collins' public coming-out and later return to the Nets drew wide attention and made him a widely recognized figure in discussions about inclusivity in sports. His diagnosis is likely to prompt an outpouring of support from former teammates, advocates and the broader basketball community.
Further updates on Collins' condition are expected to come from his family or representatives when they choose to provide more information. For now, the NBA's statement stands as the principal public notice regarding his health and treatment.