Watch “Magic” Johnson’s commencement speech AI advice for graduates
NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson shared some advice with graduates at Stillman College’s commencement ceremony.
Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, has passed away after battling stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47 years old.
“We are heartbroken to learn that our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, Jason Collins, has passed away after a courageous battle with glioblastoma,” his family announced in a statement released by the NBA. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and the exceptional care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. He will be greatly missed by our family.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembered Collins for changing his life.
“Jason Collins’ influence and impact went far beyond basketball, and he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports communities more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver said in a statement released by the league. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and through 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 lives.”
“On behalf of the NBA, we extend our deepest condolences to Jason’s husband Brunson, his family, friends, and colleagues across the league,” Silver added.
Collins publicly revealed his diagnosis in a first-person essay for ESPN in December 2025, describing an aggressive brain tumor that had spread to both hemispheres in a butterfly-like pattern. Standard chemotherapy had no effect on his glioblastoma, so he was forced to undergo an experimental treatment at a clinic in Singapore.
He married his husband, film producer Branson Green, in May 2025, just months before his symptoms began.
Collins came out in April 2013 in a first-person cover story for Sports Illustrated, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of North America’s four major sports.
“Life is so much better when you just show up as you are,” Collins wrote in her final public essay.
His best statistical season was 2004-05, when he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
However, the biggest moments in his career were not measured in match statistics. On February 23, 2014, Collins took the court at Staples Center for the Brooklyn Nets’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in a game in one of the four major professional sports leagues. That night, he wore No. 98, a number chosen in honor of Matthew Shepard, the 1998 murderer who helped pass landmark hate crimes legislation.
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA for six teams. New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards. He played in 735 career games, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds. Collins was drafted 18th overall in the 2001 draft by the Houston Rockets out of Stanford University, and his rights were immediately traded to the New Jersey Nets.
He retired in 2014 and served as an NBA ambassador.
