Former New Jersey Nets Center Jason Collins Dead at 47 After Cancer Battle
JerseyTalks Staff
May 13, 2026
1 min read10 views
What happened
Former New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins has died at the age of 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first openly gay active player in a major North American professional sports league.
Former New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins has died at the age of 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Collins made history in 2013 when he became the first openly gay active player in a major North American professional sports league.
The 13-year NBA veteran spent much of his career with the New Jersey Nets, helping lead the franchise to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003 alongside Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.
His family said Collins passed away following an eight-month fight with cancer.
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