Jason Collins: First Openly Gay Active Player in a Major U.S. Men's Team

Jason Collins was an American professional basketball player best known as the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four major North American men's team sports. Born on December 2, 1978, in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, the veteran center played 13 NBA seasons for seven teams from 2001 to 2014.

After earning third-team All-American honors at Stanford, Collins was selected 18th overall in the 2001 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. As a rookie he helped the New Jersey Nets reach their first NBA Finals. In 2013 he publicly came out as gay, and in 2014 he signed with the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first openly gay player in the NBA. He was featured on the cover of Time's 100 Most Influential People issue.

Collins married film producer Brunson Green in May 2025, and he had a twin brother, Jarron, who also played in the NBA. He announced treatment for a brain tumor in September 2025 and later revealed a diagnosis of stage 4 glioblastoma. He died at his home in Los Angeles on May 12, 2026, at age 47, remembered as a quiet trailblazer who made it easier for others to be themselves.

Achievements: Drafted 18th overall by the Houston Rockets (2001), helped the Nets reach the NBA Finals (2002), came out publicly as gay (2013), signed with the Brooklyn Nets as the first openly gay NBA player (2014).

Birth: December 2, 1978 - Northridge, Los Angeles, California.

Profession: Professional basketball player.

Interesting Facts: Collins wore No. 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, and the jersey became the top seller in the NBA's online store. He was born eight minutes before his twin brother.