Jason Collins Dies at 47, 13-Year Veteran Was 1st Openly Gay Player in NBA History

The NBA announced Tuesday that former player Jason Collins died at the age of 47 and released the following statement on behalf of his family.

"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. 

"Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly."

Collins made NBA history as the first active and openly gay player in the league.

Silver also released a statement following Collins' death:

"Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations," Silver said. "He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.

"On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason's husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues."

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne noted Collins traveled to Singapore last winter to receive experimental treatments for stage 4 glioblastoma, which is a type of brain cancer. He returned home following the treatments, but the cancer came back before he died at home surrounded by family.

Collins was best known nationally for the history he made in 2013 when he became the first active player in the NBA, NFL, NHL or MLB to announce he was gay.

He announced as much in a Sports Illustrated story.

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation," Collins wrote. "I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

Shelburne spoke to him about the revelation in November.

"When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything," Collins said at the time. "This was like, I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I'm gay. Just so everyone knows cards on the table, this is where I am.

"Thankfully the Nets were the one team that gave me a tryout."

Collins entered the NBA as a first-round pick in 2001 and played through the 2013-14 season for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.

He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while making 735 regular-season appearances and 95 playoff appearances throughout his career.

He is survived by his husband, parents and brother. His brother, Jaron Collins, also played in the NBA from the 2001-02 season through the 2010-11 one.