Jason Collins, NBA Pioneer, Battles Brain Tumor: Family Asks for Prayers

Jason Collins, a former NBA centre and an ambassador for the league, is battling a brain tumour right now. While the type of tumour and its extent are unknown, his family has asked people to pray for him.

His family sent a statement to the NBA on Thursday: “NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. 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,” the statement said.

The 46-year-old was also the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four main North American sports leagues.

A Steady Presence in the NBA

Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA before announcing his retirement in 2014. During that time, he played a crucial role in multiple teams, like the New Jersey Nets, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Memphis Grizzlies.

Collins had established himself as an extremely reliable defender and team player. With the New Jersey Nets, he helped them reach the NBA Finals in back-to-back years, 2002 and 2003.

While knowing how he had to perform for the team, he was able to get an average of about 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. His best season was in 2004-05, when he had an average about 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Collins played more than 700 NBA games, earning him the reputation of a steady and disciplined teammate. He might not have been the star on the court, but his impact was visible in how his team performed – setting strong plays for the team, rotating on defense, and keeping teammates engaged.

Off the court, Collins was widely known for openness and advocacy. In 2013, he came out as gay. He later wore jersey number 98 as a tribute to Matthew Shepard, who was a victim of a hate crime. This little step by Collins set a precedent for meaningful symbolism.