Jason Collins, the former NBA player who made history as the first openly gay man to play in a major US professional sports league, is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, the league said on Thursday. An official statement said, “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.” Collins, 46, played 13 seasons in the NBA, starting with the New Jersey Nets and finishing with the Brooklyn Nets. He also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over 735 career games. He retired in November 2014. On February 23, 2014, Collins made history by becoming the first openly gay NBA player when he took the floor for the Nets against the Los Angeles Lakers. He had publicly shared his sexuality the previous April in a first-person article published in Sports Illustrated. The Nets expressed their support on social media, writing, “Sending our love and support to @jasoncollins98 and his family.” The NBA also shared a message of encouragement for Collins, who has continued to serve as an NBA Cares ambassador and remains a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports. Fans and fellow athletes have also voiced their solidarity, sending messages of hope and wishing him a full recovery.
