Chelsea Clinton paid tribute to a college friend whose death last week sent shockwaves through the basketball world and beyond.
Clinton, 46, shared an emotional message on social media May 13 remembering Jason Collins, the former NBA center who made history in 2013 as the first openly gay active player in any major North American professional sport. Collins died May 12, 2026, at age 47 following an eight-month fight with Stage IV glioblastoma.
“Heartbroken by the passing of my beloved friend Jason Collins,” Clinton wrote. “He was a trailblazer whose courage changed lives, and a kind, thoughtful friend who could always make me laugh. He will live in my heart forever.”
Clinton posted the tribute alongside an old photograph of the pair, whose friendship began during their freshman year at Stanford University nearly 30 years ago.
A Friendship Forged at Stanford
The bond between Clinton and Collins lasted from their days as freshmen at Stanford through Collins’ professional basketball career and Clinton’s life in the public eye. Their connection was so strong that Clinton wrote Collins’ endorsement when he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2014.
“When Jason called to talk about his forthcoming Sports Illustrated cover story, ‘The Gay Athlete,’ I realized at some point that I wasn’t surprised we were having the conversation we were,” she wrote in her 2014 Time endorsement.
The Clinton family embraced Collins when he publicly came out. Bill Clinton issued his own tribute on May 13, describing Collins as “far more than a trailblazer for the NBA” and “a great friend to Chelsea.” The former president and Hillary Clinton sent condolences to Collins’ husband, Brunson Green, his identical twin brother Jarron Collins, and the rest of the Collins family.
A Career That Changed the Game
Selected 18th overall in 2001, Collins was drafted ahead of future All-Stars including Zach Randolph, Gerald Wallace, Tony Parker, and Gilbert Arenas. He played 13 years in the NBA as a physical defensive center, spending most of his time with the New Jersey Nets and helping the franchise reach back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Over the course of his career, he also suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets.
His most significant impact came off the court. Collins made headlines in 2013 by revealing his sexual orientation through a prominent Sports Illustrated feature that began with the memorable statement: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m Black, and I’m gay.”
A Public Battle With Glioblastoma
After receiving a brain tumor diagnosis in late summer 2025, Collins announced in September 2025 that he had begun treatment. He later disclosed in a December 2025 personal essay that he was battling Stage IV glioblastoma, describing it as “one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.” The disease “came on incredibly fast,” Collins wrote, and he committed to fighting with experimental treatments, including immunotherapy still being studied.
Collins used his public platform during his illness to document his journey and advocate for experimental medical research. His family issued a statement on May 12 confirming his death and thanking supporters “for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months.”
Tributes Pour In Across Sports and Politics
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’ impact “extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” adding that Collins “will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life.” The Brooklyn Nets called Collins “selfless, tough, and deeply respected by teammates, coaches, and staff alike,” saying those around him knew him “not just as a competitor, but as a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who brought people together.”
Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who coached Collins in Brooklyn, wrote, “This one hurts. Jason Collins was a pioneer. He had courage as you’ve never seen.” Tennis legend Billie Jean King, for whose foundation Collins served as a founding advisory board member, called him “our dear friend” who “helped move sports and society forward with strength.” Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said simply, “We truly lost a giant today.”
Former teammates Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce also shared remembrances of the trailblazing center, as did actress and activist Cynthia Nixon, who called Collins “a true American hero.” A moment of silence was held before Tuesday’s NBA playoff game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs in his honor.
The LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame named Collins a recipient of the 2026 Glenn Burke Award — an honor recognizing courage and authenticity in transforming sports — with an induction ceremony scheduled for June 25 in New York City during NYC Pride. Because he was too ill to attend a prior acceptance event, his twin brother Jarron accepted on his behalf, calling Jason “the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known.”
Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green — a film producer best known for producing “The Help,” whom Collins married in May 2025 — his twin brother Jarron, and an extended family — along with a legacy that reshaped the conversation about identity in American professional sports.
