NBA trailblazer Jason Collins, who was the first openly gay player to play in the National Basketball Association, revealed some heartbreaking news this past week.
Collins sat down with ESPN and shared that he has a Glioblastoma, which is the most aggressive form of cancerous brain tumor.
He is currently in Singapore where he will be for several weeks as he is undergoing experimental treatment.
“I have a Glioblastoma. It is butterflied. It’s pretty much taken over,” Jason Collins said. “I remember my brother talking about the battle that I’m going to face. He was like, ‘You have to fight.’ And that’s what I’ve done my whole life is fight.”
Collins was told that if he did not treat the brain tumor, he would die within six weeks to three months.
He is hoping to extend his life with treatments, including the experimental one he is undergoing overseas.
“We don’t want to just sit around and wait, which is why we’re going to have to travel internationally for the next step,” he said.
Jason Collins married his longtime partner, Brunson Green, this past spring.
Collins played in the NBA from 2001-14, becoming the first openly gay NBA player to appear in a game when he did so in 2014.
News broke in September that Collins was dealing with a brain tumor. Now more details are coming out on just how serious it is.
“I’m unafraid to break through a wall or try to do everything possible, I think, because I’m so surrounded by love,” he told ESPN. “And I know that my family is so strong and they will be OK.”
Jason Collins played for the New Jersey Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics, Wizards and Brooklyn Nets during his career.
He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game across his 13 NBA seasons.
Plenty of fans are sending prayers and well wishes to the 47-year-old.
“Praying for more time, Jason. Stay strong,” one fan said.
Another added: “So tough to see. Jason Collins is fighting cancer with unbelievable courage, and he and Brunson traveling to Singapore for treatment shows how hard they’re pushing for more time together. Wishing them both strength to get through it.”