He was a free agent at the time the essay was published, and so it remained unclear whether coming out would end his NBA career.
While there were significant developments for the gay rights movement by then, gay marriage was not legal across the US until 2015.
Collins went on to rejoin the Nets – where he started his career – after they moved to Brooklyn, and he became the first openly gay athlete to ever play across any of the four major US sports leagues.
The Nets said in a statement that they are “heartbroken” about Collins’ death.
“Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003,” the team said.
“Those who were around Jason every day knew him not just as a competitor, but as a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who brought people together. His impact extended far beyond the court, and his courage and authenticity helped move the game – and the world – forward.”
Former Stanford University basketball coach Mike Montgomery told US media that it was a “sad day” and that Collins was one of the school’s “greats”.
“The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person,” Montgomery said.
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma, or GBM, is an aggressive type of brain cancer that starts in cells called astrocytes, which support nerve cells, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It is a part of a larger group of tumours called gliomas.
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults.
It can occur at any age but happens most often in older adults.
Symptoms can vary depending on where the tumour forms in the brain. It can include seizures or changes in thinking, speech, vision, strength, sensation or balance.
While treatments can potentially slow tumour growth, there is no known cure.
Source: BBC
