Professional Basketball Player and NBA Cares Ambassador
Remembering those we recently lost
Emily Cooper planted a tree in their memory
Key moments and achievements from Jason Collins's life.
Jason was born
· Los Angeles, California, USA
Collegiate Milestone
Jason Collins and his twin brother, Jarron, led the Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team to the NCAA Final Four. The brothers established themselves as formidable collegiate athletes during this tournament run. Their defensive prowess and teamwork laid the groundwork for their future professional careers.
Collegiate Milestone
Jason Collins and his twin brother, Jarron, led the Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team to the NCAA Final Four. The brothers established themselves as formidable collegiate athletes during this tournament run. Their defensive prowess and teamwork laid the groundwork for their future professional careers.
Professional Debut
Collins was selected 18th overall in the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He was subsequently traded to the New Jersey Nets, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career. This draft day launched a reliable 13-season tenure in the league across six different franchises.
Professional Debut
Collins was selected 18th overall in the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He was subsequently traded to the New Jersey Nets, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career. This draft day launched a reliable 13-season tenure in the league across six different franchises.
Public Announcement
In a groundbreaking first-person essay published in Sports Illustrated, Collins publicly announced that he was gay. The declaration made him the first active male athlete in the four major North American professional sports leagues to come out. His transparency sparked a global conversation about inclusion in athletics and earned him a spot on the cover of Time Magazine.
Public Announcement
In a groundbreaking first-person essay published in Sports Illustrated, Collins publicly announced that he was gay. The declaration made him the first active male athlete in the four major North American professional sports leagues to come out. His transparency sparked a global conversation about inclusion in athletics and earned him a spot on the cover of Time Magazine.
Symbolic Gesture
Upon returning to the NBA court, Collins chose to wear jersey number 98. The number was a deliberate tribute to Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was murdered in 1998. This sartorial choice physically wove his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community into his identity as a professional athlete.
Symbolic Gesture
Upon returning to the NBA court, Collins chose to wear jersey number 98. The number was a deliberate tribute to Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was murdered in 1998. This sartorial choice physically wove his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community into his identity as a professional athlete.
Life Milestone
Collins married film producer Brunson Green in a ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Later that same year, he faced a severe health crisis that required immediate attention. He approached these personal milestones and challenges with the same quiet courage that defined his public life.
Life Milestone
Collins married film producer Brunson Green in a ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Later that same year, he faced a severe health crisis that required immediate attention. He approached these personal milestones and challenges with the same quiet courage that defined his public life.
Experimental Treatment
Seeking advanced medical care, Collins traveled to Singapore to undergo experimental treatments. He viewed the grueling medical process as an opportunity to help establish a new standard of care for future patients. His selfless approach during this period posthumously earned him the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award.
Experimental Treatment
Seeking advanced medical care, Collins traveled to Singapore to undergo experimental treatments. He viewed the grueling medical process as an opportunity to help establish a new standard of care for future patients. His selfless approach during this period posthumously earned him the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award.
Jason Collins passed away
