Jason Collins has always been a trailblazer. In 2013, he became the first openly gay active NBA player, shattering barriers and inspiring countless athletes and fans. Today, he faces another battle, Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers known to medicine.
Collins first experienced symptoms in August 2025: confusion, memory lapses, and difficulty focusing. By September, his family announced he had a brain tumor. On December 11, Collins himself revealed the diagnosis in an ESPN essay, describing the cancer as a “monster with tentacles” spreading across his brain.
Despite the grim prognosis, median survival of 12–18 months, Collins has chosen to fight with the same toughness that defined his NBA career. Supported by his husband, Brunson Green, and buoyed by the love of his community, Collins is undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and experimental therapies in Singapore.
Beyond basketball, Collins has always loved mentoring young athletes, advocating for LGBTQ rights, and building community. His resilience now reminds us that health is not guaranteed, and vigilance is essential.
Treatment Options
While there is no cure, treatments aim to slow tumor growth and improve quality of life:
- Surgery: Removal of as much tumor as safely possible (not always feasible).
- Radiation therapy: Often daily sessions over several weeks.
- Chemotherapy: Typically combined with radiation.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that attack specific cancer cell mutations.
- Tumor treating fields (TTF): Low-intensity electrical fields applied via scalp electrodes.
- Experimental approaches: Immunotherapy, laser therapy, and clinical trials my.clevelandclinic.org mayoclinic.org mdanderson.org.
Prognosis
- Median survival: 12–18 months after diagnosis, even with treatment.
- Five-year survival rate: Only about 5–10% my.clevelandclinic.org mdanderson.org.
- Challenge: Tumors almost always recur because microscopic branches spread throughout the brain, making complete removal impossible mdanderson.org.
Risks & Challenges
- Glioblastoma affects critical brain functions (speech, movement, memory).
- Treatments often cause side effects like fatigue, cognitive decline, or mood changes.
- Delivering drugs is difficult because of the blood-brain barrier, which blocks many medications from reaching the tumor mdanderson.org.
In summary: Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest brain cancers, with rapid progression and limited treatment options. Jason Collins’ diagnosis highlights both the personal toll and the urgent need for continued research into more effective therapies.
Sources: my.clevelandclinic.orgCleveland Clinic mayoclinic.orgMayo Clinic mdanderson.orgMD Anderson Cancer Center
Call to Action:
We must stay on top of our health. Screenings save lives. Early detection matters. And for the LGBTQ community, rallying around Jason and his family is more than solidarity, it is a continuation of the movement he helped ignite.
Career Highlights:
- 13-year NBA career, playing for teams including the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards.
- Known for his defensive grit and leadership on and off the court.
- In 2013, became the first openly gay active NBA player.
- Post-retirement: advocate for LGBTQ rights, mentor, and public speaker.
