Jason Collins, Former NBA Player, Undergoing Treatment for Brain Tumor
The NBA announced Thursday that former center and current league ambassador Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.
In a statement, the NBA wrote, "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 NBA seasons from 2001 to 2014 with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.
He is perhaps best known for announcing he was gay in 2013, making him the first active, openly gay male athlete in one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America.
After starring collegiately at Stanford, Collins was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
The 7-footer spent parts of his first seven seasons with the Nets before bouncing around before several different franchises.
He later finished his career with the Nets, playing 22 games for the team during the 2013-14 season after he came out as gay.
All told, Collins appeared in 735 regular-season NBA games, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting 41.1 percent from the field.
He also averaged 3.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and shot 40.0 percent from the floor in 95 playoff contests.
Since retiring from the NBA as a player, Collins has worked with the league as an ambassador through NBA Cares, which is a social program that promotes diversity and equality.
While Collins was the first openly gay male athlete in a major North American sports league, he paved the way for others to follow suit, including former NFL defensive ends Michael Sam and Carl Nassib.
Several athletes also later came out as gay after their playing careers were over, such as former NBA center John Amaechi, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz from 1995 to 2003.
