Getty Jason Collins, the trailblazing basketball star who became the first openly gay player in the NBA, has passed away. Collins died on Tuesday (May 12) following a battle with brain cancer. His family announced the news in a statement, sharing that he died peacefully at home. "We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma. Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.