The basketball world is still mourning the death of Jason Collins, and now, a week after his death, new sad details about his death have been revealed. Collins, who made history as the NBA’s first openly gay player, died at the age of 47 on May 12 following a difficult battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive and often fatal form of brain cancer. According to official records, the cause of death of the former NBA center was respiratory failure. Several serious underlying conditions also contributed to his death, including pulmonary embolism, hydrocephalus, fluid accumulation in the brain, and glioblastoma.
Misdiagnosis months after marriage
The tragedy comes less than a year after Collins went public with her cancer diagnosis in September 2025. The announcement came just four months after she married filmmaker Brunson Green, known for making ‘The Help.’ The moment has left fans very emotional, as Collins passed away just weeks before the couple’s first wedding anniversary. His death certificate also confirmed that his body was cremated on May 15.
In an emotional statement, Collins’ loved ones reflected on the impact he had on and off the court. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his family shared. “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 greatly.”
Collins’ twin brother, Jarron Collins, along with his family, also honored him during a memorial service over the weekend. One emotional tribute came from Collins’ nephew, who reflected on the impact of his decision to go public. “My uncle said when he got out, ‘if not for me, then for someone else,'” he shared.
Even during his battle with cancer, Collins focused on helping future patients. He underwent radiation therapy along with Avastin, hoping that the experimental combination could one day improve care for others battling glioblastoma. “The average prognosis is only 11 to 14 months. If that’s all the time I have left, I’d rather use it to try a treatment that could one day be a new standard of care for everyone,” he told ESPN in December.
For many fans, that resolution perfectly captured who Jason Collins was, a fighter, a pioneer, and an inspiration beyond basketball.
