Former NBA veteran Jason Collins, best known as the league’s first openly gay active player, has revealed he is battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer often referred to as the “emperor of all cancers.”
Collins, 47, shared the devastating update in an emotional interview with ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, as well as in a personal essay published on the outlet’s website. He first announced he had a brain tumor earlier this year, but until now, chose to keep the details private while he and his family sought answers.
A Sudden and Aggressive Illness
Collins said he first noticed symptoms in August, including brain fog, short-term memory loss, and reduced comprehension. Further testing revealed he had glioblastoma, a cancer with a standard prognosis of just 11 to 14 months and a five-year survival rate of about 5%, according to The Glioblastoma Foundation.
Making matters more difficult, Collins’ tumor is unresectable, meaning it cannot be removed surgically. It also cannot be treated with traditional chemotherapy.
Seeking New Treatment Options
Despite the grim diagnosis, Collins is fighting. He is currently undergoing treatment at a clinic in Singapore, where doctors are using a targeted chemotherapy approach involving EDVs — a “Trojan horse” technology designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and attack tumor-specific proteins.
“I’m not going to let this cancer kill me without giving it a hell of a fight,” Collins said. “If what I’m doing doesn’t save me, I feel good thinking that it might help someone else who gets a diagnosis like this one day.”
A Trailblazing Legacy
Jason Collins made history in 2013 when he publicly came out as gay, becoming the first active NBA player to do so. His announcement marked a major moment for LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports.
He went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA for teams including the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets. Collins was also a standout All-American at Stanford University before entering the league as the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.
In May, he married film producer Brunson Green, his partner of 11 years.
Community Support — and a Sobering Reflection
The NBA community has come together in support of Collins during his health crisis — something many fans note was not the case when he came out in 2013.
“I just hate that a cancer diagnosis was the only way to guarantee everyone will give him dignity and respect,” one supporter wrote online, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
Still, Collins says he chose to go public with his diagnosis for the same reason he came out over a decade ago:
“Your life is so much better when you show up as your true self,” he said. “This is me. This is what I’m dealing with.”
A Courageous Fight Ahead
Jason Collins continues to receive treatment overseas as he confronts one of the deadliest cancers known. He remains hopeful, determined, and committed to using his journey to help others.
Sending prayers, strength, and support to Jason Collins and his loved ones during this incredibly difficult battle.
