Jason Collins, the veteran NBA player who cemented his legacy as the first active player in a major American team sport to publicly come out as gay in 2013, has provided a devastating update on the health struggle he first disclosed earlier this year.
In a candid and emotional interview with ESPN released on Thursday, December 11, 2025, Collins confirmed that his brain cancer is Stage 4 and, critically, has been determined to be unresectable, meaning the tumor cannot be removed via surgical procedure.
The revelation marks a major and difficult turning point in Collins’s fight. The diagnosis of Stage 4 indicates an aggressive, advanced stage of the disease. The unresectable nature of the tumor means Collins’s treatment plan will be intense and palliative, likely relying on a rigorous combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and other targeted therapies to slow progression.
Collins, who played for 13 seasons and six NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, stated that he chose to share this devastating news openly. His decision mirrors the transparency he demonstrated in 2013, which made him a monumental figure for visibility and courage across the sports world and the LGBTQ+ community.
The news has elicited an immediate outpouring of support across the NBA, former teammates, and numerous advocacy organizations that recognize Collins’s enduring impact as a trailblazer and role model.
Collins remains focused on his battle while continuing his work as an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
