The NBA community has sadly learned that Jason Collins has died at the age of 47.
Collins, the first publicly gay athlete to play in the NBA, suited up for the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics and Wizards during his 13-year career. The former Stanford star averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, he was Stage 4 glioblastoma in 2025.
"In May I married the love of my life, Brunson Green, at a ceremony in Austin, Texas, that couldn't have been more perfect. In August, we were supposed to go to the US Open, just as every year, but when the car came to take us to the airport, I was nowhere near ready. And for the first time in decades, we missed the flight because I couldn't stay focused to pack. I had been having weird symptoms like this for a week or two, but unless something is really wrong, I'm going to push through. I'm an athlete," Collins told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
"Something was really wrong, though. I was in the CT machine at UCLA for all of five minutes before the tech pulled me out and said they were going to have me see a specialist. I've had enough CTs in my life to know they last longer than five minutes and whatever the tech had seen on the first images had to be bad."
On Tuesday night, ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed that Collins passed away.
Mar. 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Washington Wizards center Jason Collins against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Wizards defeated the Suns 88-79. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports https://x.com/AdamZagoria/status/1966181373355634940
It's been a devastating day for the NBA.
Hours before Collins' death was announced, the NBA world learned that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died at the young age of 29.
"As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon's family, friends and the Grizzlies organization."
Clarke, a former star at Gonzaga, averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his time in Memphis.
Our thoughts are with Collins and Clarke's loved ones.
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