When Jason Collins stepped onto the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2013 and told the world he was gay, he changed the landscape of professional sports forever. It was a massive moment. But for most people watching the news cycle, there was a second face that kept popping up—someone who looked exactly like him but was processing a very different reality.
Jarron Collins, the twin brother of Jason Collins, is often reduced to a footnote in that historic announcement. Honestly, that’s a mistake. While Jason was breaking barriers on the court, Jarron was building a legacy that, by 2026, has arguably made him one of the most influential "quiet" figures in the NBA.
Being a twin is weird. Being an identical twin in the hyper-competitive world of the NBA is a whole different level of strange. You’re drafted together, you play the same position, and yet, your lives can veer in wildly different directions.
The "Eight Minutes Younger" Reality
Jarron isn't just "the twin." He's a 6-foot-11 power forward who carved out a decade-long career in the NBA through sheer grit. He didn't have the flashy stats. He wasn't a dunk contest champion—though fun fact, he actually deferred his spot in a high school dunk contest so his teammate, actor Jason Segel (yes, that Jason Segel), could participate instead.
That’s the kind of guy Jarron is. Solid. Reliable.
They were the "Twin Towers" at Stanford. They were the blue-chip recruits who were supposed to save programs. But while Jason dealt with a string of brutal injuries early in his college career, Jarron became the iron man. He was a two-time All-American. He stayed healthy. He was the one scouts looked at as the "safer" bet for a long time.
Life in the NBA Trenches
When the 2001 NBA Draft rolled around, the twins were separated for the first time in their lives. Jason went in the first round to the New Jersey Nets. Jarron fell to the second round, pick 53, taken by the Utah Jazz.
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For eight years, Jarron was the backbone of the Jazz's second unit. He played for Jerry Sloan, one of the toughest coaches in league history. You don't last eight years under Sloan if you're soft. Jarron wasn't. He was a "glue guy"—the kind of player who sets the hard screens, boxes out the 300-pound centers, and never complains about only getting three shots a game.
The Day Everything Changed
Let's talk about the coming out. Because that’s where the "twin telepathy" myth gets busted.
When Jason decided to come out, Jarron was the last person in the immediate family to know. Think about that for a second. You share the same DNA, the same face, and the same career path, yet you're totally in the dark about your brother's deepest secret.
Jason later joked in his SI piece, "So much for twin telepathy."
But the way Jarron handled it is why he’s so respected in NBA circles today. He didn't flinch. He didn't make it about himself. He stood by his brother with a level of ferocity that silenced a lot of locker room chatter. He told the media, "I've never been more proud of him."
It sounds simple, but in 2013, in an NBA locker room? That was a big deal.
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Why Jarron Collins is the Future of NBA Coaching
If you follow the NBA today, in 2026, you know Jarron's name for a different reason: the sidelines.
After retiring in 2011, Jarron didn't just fade away into the "former player" sunset. He started at the bottom. He scouted for the Clippers. He worked his way up. Then, he joined Steve Kerr’s staff with the Golden State Warriors.
He was there for the dynasty. He has three championship rings as a coach. Three.
Currently serving as a top assistant for the New Orleans Pelicans under Willie Green, Jarron has become one of the most sought-after names during every head coaching cycle. Why? Because he has the "twin perspective." He knows how to communicate. He understands the stars because he lived with one, and he understands the role players because he was one.
The Jarron Collins Resume at a Glance
- College Legend: Two-time All-American at Stanford.
- NBA Longevity: 10 seasons (mostly with Utah Jazz).
- Coaching Pedigree: Three NBA Championships with the Warriors.
- Current Status: Lead Assistant Coach, New Orleans Pelicans.
The Twin Dynamic: Support Over Rivalry
People always ask if they were competitive. Of course they were. You don't get to the NBA without being a little bit of a shark. They played against each other for a decade. Imagine having to post up your own face. It’s a psychological trip.
But their bond is basically ironclad. They live near each other in Los Angeles during the offseason. They share a gay uncle, Mark, who served as a role model for Jason when he was struggling. The family structure is tight, and Jarron’s wife, Elsa Collins, is a powerhouse in her own right, working in social justice and activism.
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They aren't just basketball players; they’re a family of high achievers.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Jarron was just the "straight version" of Jason. It's a lazy narrative.
Jarron’s basketball IQ is actually what sets him apart. In the coaching world, he’s known as a defensive mastermind. He’s the guy who draws up the schemes to stop the seven-foot unicorns of the modern NBA. He’s not in the league because he’s Jason’s brother; he’s in the league because the Pelicans' defense looks like a synchronized machine when he’s running the floor.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Collins Brothers
If you're looking at the career of Jarron Collins and wondering what it means for you, there are a few real-world takeaways:
- Embrace the "Glue" Role: You don't have to be the superstar to be essential. Jarron’s 10-year playing career and 12+ year coaching career are built on being the person who makes everyone else better.
- Loyalty is a Brand: In a world of "hot takes," Jarron’s unwavering support for his brother built him a reputation of integrity that has served him better than any stat line ever could.
- Pivot with Purpose: When his playing days ended, Jarron didn't wait for a job. He went into scouting—the "grunt work" of the front office—to learn the game from a different angle.
Jarron Collins might have started as the "other" twin in the public eye, but he’s carved out a space that is entirely his own. Whether he’s standing on a podium with a championship trophy or standing behind his brother on a red carpet, he remains one of the most consistent, respected figures in the sport.
To track Jarron's progress toward a head coaching gig, keep an eye on the NBA's offseason hiring cycles. He’s consistently shortlisted for a reason. You can also follow the New Orleans Pelicans' defensive ratings this season; that's where his fingerprints are most visible.