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Jason Collins

Jason Paul Collins (December 2, 1978 – May 12, 2026) was an American professional basketball player who spent 13 seasons in the NBA as a center.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jason Paul Collins (December 2, 1978 – May 12, 2026) was an American professional basketball player who spent 13 seasons in the NBA as a center. He played college basketball at Stanford, was drafted 18th overall in 2001, and became the first openly gay active athlete in a major North American men’s professional sports league in 2013.

Early life and college career

Collins was born in Northridge, California, and played college basketball at Stanford University. He earned third-team All-American honours in 2001.

NBA career

He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2001 and spent 13 seasons in the NBA as a reserve center and defender. His career included stints with several teams, most notably the New Jersey Nets.

Public coming out and legacy

In 2013, Collins publicly came out as gay, a milestone that made him the first openly gay active athlete in a major North American men’s professional sports league. His announcement became a widely noted moment in sports history.

Later life and death

Collins retired from professional basketball in 2014. He died in May 2026 at age 47 after battling brain cancer.

Key facts

  • Played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2001 to 2014.
  • Became the first openly gay active athlete in a major North American men’s professional sports league in 2013.
  • Played college basketball at Stanford University and earned third-team All-American honours in 2001.
  • Died in 2026 at age 47 from complications of brain cancer.
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Canadian context

His significance is mainly in North American sports history; Canadian readers may know him as part of the NBA’s broader social and cultural impact, especially around LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jason Collins?
Jason Collins was an American professional basketball player and NBA center best known for his 13-season career and for publicly coming out as gay in 2013.
What teams did Jason Collins play for?
He played for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.
When was Jason Collins drafted?
He was selected 18th overall in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.
What is Jason Collins known for off the court?
He is known for publicly coming out as gay in 2013, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in a major North American men’s professional sports league.
When did Jason Collins retire?
He announced his retirement from professional basketball on November 19, 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Collins
    Supports: Birth, death, college, NBA draft, teams, position, retirement, and career overview.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/a26837004/jason-paul-collins
    Supports: Public coming out in 2013, first openly gay active athlete in major North American men’s professional sports, and death in 2026.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/987/jason-collins
    Supports: Career position, birthdate, birthplace, college, draft information, and career statistics.
  4. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/en/news/jason-collins-nba-first-openly-gay-player-dies-aged-47
    Supports: 13-year NBA career, teams played for, public coming out, and death at age 47.