Former NBA player Jason Collins, 46, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, his family confirmed in a statement shared by the league on Thursday.
"NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. 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 statement read.
The shocking health announcement quickly prompted an outpouring of support from across the basketball community. Fans flooded social media with messages of encouragement, while a couple of his former teams issued public well wishes.
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"Jason is truly a pillar of Stanford basketball and he has been an inspiration in his life after playing as well," Stanford, where Collins starred in college before entering the NBA, wrote on X.
"Sending our love and support to @jasoncollins98 and his family," the Nets shared on X.
The news comes at a significant time in Collins' personal life. Back in May, he married film producer Brunson Green.
Collins retired from the NBA in 2014 after his 13-year career, which included stints with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and finally the Brooklyn Nets. On the court, he averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for his career, per ESPN.
In 2013, he made history by publicly coming out as gay, becoming the first active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues to do so.