First Openly Gay NBA Player, Jason Collins, Who Is Batting With Brain Tumor, Doesn’t Have Kids

NBA confirmed the news about the Jets star!

October 5, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 12, 2026

Jason Tumor, 46, the former NBA Star, is going through a challenging period in his life, and he will have tremendous support from his partner and family, even though he doesn’t have children.

The first Openly Gay NBA Player publicly revealed his brain tumor diagnosis on September 11, 2026.

His family shared the awful news with the NBA. The Association released the Statement on behalf of Jason and his family.

“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.”

Jason, the current New York Resident, played College Basketball at Leland Stanford Junior University, earning All-American Honors.

This helped him get drafted in 2001 by the Houston Rockets, although he was later traded to the New Jersey Nets (renamed to Brooklyn Nets in 2012).

A Courageous Nets Veteran

In the 2002 and 2003 seasons, he even helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA final Appearances. The 7 Footed Center, featured in over 500 regular games for the Jets in seven full seasons. He again returned to the Nets in February 2014, but only on a 10-day contract.

Jason wanted to return to when it all started. (Source: )

After his first stint with the Nets, he played for a bunch of different teams: Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards.

He came out as the First Openly Gay NBA player in April 2013 through a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated, while he was at the end of his time at the Washington Wizards. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m Black. And I’m gay,” said the NBA star.

After coming out publicly as gay, he started dating Brunson Green, a film producer best known for his work on The Help in 2011. The couple met at a housewarming party in LA.

The couple had been engaged for almost a decade, at the LA Lakers Pride Night in 2013, and finally tied the knot in May 2026, in Austin, Texas.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Jason Collins played 735 regular-season NBA games in his career, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
• Another NBA player to come out as gay after Jason was the former Atlanta Hawks man, Isaac Humphries.
• Jason also has an identical twin brother, Jarron, who also played in the NBA. He featured in teams including the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and LA Clippers, and played over 500 games in 10 seasons.

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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.

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