You probably remember the headline. It was 2013, and the sports world basically stopped spinning for a second when a 7-foot center named Jason Collins told the world he was gay. It was a massive deal. No active male athlete in the "Big Four" American sports had ever done that. But if you think his story ended with a Sports Illustrated cover and a few standing ovations, you’re missing the biggest parts of who he is.
Honestly, Jason Collins was never the guy who was going to drop 30 points a night. He wasn’t a human highlight reel. He was a "glue guy"—the kind of player who does the dirty work that coaches love and fans sometimes sleep on. Fast forward to 2026, and Collins is facing a fight that makes a playoff series against Shaquille O'Neal look like a warm-up. He's battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and he’s doing it with the same quiet grit he used to guard the paint for 13 seasons.
The Player Behind the History Books
Let’s talk about the basketball first, because that’s the foundation. People see his career average of 3.6 points per game and think, "How did this guy stay in the league for over a decade?"
It’s a fair question if you only look at box scores. But the NBA is about more than points. Collins was a master of the "dark arts" of basketball. He set bone-jarring screens. He knew exactly where to stand to blow up a pick-and-roll. He took charges from guys 50 pounds heavier than him without blinking.
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Drafted 18th overall in 2001 by the Houston Rockets (then immediately sent to the New Jersey Nets), he was a cornerstone of those early 2000s Nets teams. We're talking back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. He was the guy Jason Kidd and Byron Scott trusted to anchor the defense. While Kenyon Martin was catching lobs, Collins was in the trenches wrestling with centers.
A Career Built on the "Little Things"
- Durability: He played 735 regular-season games. That’s a lot of miles on a 7-foot frame.
- IQ: Coaches like Doc Rivers and Stan Van Gundy raved about him. Van Gundy once said Collins played the best defense on Dwight Howard he’d seen all year.
- The Jersey Number: He eventually wore No. 98. Why? It was a tribute to Matthew Shepard, who was killed in a hate crime in 1998. It wasn't just a random choice; it was a quiet statement long before he went public.
That 2013 Moment and the Aftermath
When Collins came out in April 2013, he was a free agent. There was a lot of talk—some of it pretty cynical—about whether a team would actually sign him. Would he be a "distraction"? That's the word people always use when they're uncomfortable.
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He sat out for months. He worked out alone. Then, in February 2014, the Brooklyn Nets called. He signed a 10-day contract and stepped onto the court against the Lakers. The Staples Center crowd gave him a standing ovation. It was a "where were you" moment for NBA fans. He played 22 games for the Nets that season before retiring, proving that being your authentic self didn't have to end your career.
The Fight of His Life in 2026
Life has thrown some heavy curveballs at Collins recently. In May 2025, he married his longtime partner, film producer Brunson Green, in a beautiful ceremony in Austin, Texas. It should have been the start of a relaxed retirement chapter.
But by September 2025, the news broke that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. In December, he confirmed the diagnosis: Stage 4 glioblastoma. It’s a "butterfly" tumor, meaning it has spread across both sides of the brain.
He’s currently seeking experimental treatments, including traveling to Singapore for specialized care. Even now, he’s being open about the process, sharing updates and trying to stay positive. He recently spent time at a resort in Indonesia to "recharge" between treatments. It’s the same Jason Collins—analytical, tough, and remarkably steady under pressure.
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Why We Should Still Care
Jason Collins matters because he broke a seal that people thought was unbreakable. He wasn't a superstar who could "afford" the risk; he was a journeyman who could have easily been replaced. He risked his livelihood for the truth.
Today, his legacy isn't just about being the "first gay NBA player." It's about how he's handled the spotlight and the subsequent shadows. From the NBA Finals to the halls of the White House—where he served on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition—to a cancer ward, he’s shown a specific kind of American courage.
What You Can Do Now
If you want to support the causes Collins cares about or stay updated on his journey, here are a few things to keep on your radar:
- Support the Matthew Shepard Foundation: This was the organization Collins championed by wearing No. 98. They do vital work in advocacy and education.
- Learn about Glioblastoma Research: Organizations like the National Brain Tumor Society are on the front lines of finding a cure for the aggressive cancer Collins is fighting.
- Watch the Tape: Go back and look at those 2002-2003 Nets playoff runs. Watch how he plays. It’s a masterclass in selfless, winning basketball.
Jason Collins didn't just change the NBA; he changed the way we talk about athletes as humans. Whether he was guarding the rim or guarding his truth, he did it with a level of class that is, quite frankly, rare. He’s a 7-foot reminder that being the "glue" is sometimes the most important job of all.