NBA Legend Jason Collins Passes Away at 47 After Brave Battle with Cancer Basketball fans and the sports world are mourning the loss of Jason Collins, the trailblazing NBA center who left an indelible mark on the game. Collins, who played eight seasons in the league, including a stint with the Brooklyn Nets, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 47 after a courageous fight against Stage 4 glioblastoma. Collins' impressive career spanned multiple teams, but his time with the Nets remains a highlight, where he overlapped with current coach Jason Kidd for seven seasons before Kidd took the reins as head coach for a single season in 2013-14. Collins' legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments, as he paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ athletes, making history in 2013 as the first openly gay player in the NBA.
Jason Collins died Tuesday at 47 after a fight with Stage 4 glioblastoma. The late NBA center played eight years with the Nets and overlapped for seven years together as players before Kidd coached Collins for one season in 2013-14.
