Dec 13, 2025
3 min read
As Jason Collins receives treatment, he hopes he can "discover a new model of care for everyone."
Jason Collinser discovers the fourth stage of the brain, says that tumors are not diagnosed and that tumors cannot be removed by surgery
Former NBA player Jason Collins has a fourth-division GlioBlastoma.Collins - The World Health Organization became the first gay activist in the North American men's league.
Collins' diagnosis comes months after his family announced he was dealing with a brain tumor.They did not provide additional details at the time, asking for "support and prayers."
Collins, 47, explained that his family had a way of releasing the bad news, trying to protect his surveillance program while "talking about me."Collins said he started having symptoms over the summer, but first tried to fight them off.But things came to a head in August, when Collins failed to collect for a trip to the US Open with her husband.
After taking a ct scan it was determined that Collins had stage 4 glioblastoma.Given the nature of his cancer, it couldn't be completely removed without Collins coming out of the surgery "different," he told ESPN.
Because the tumor is inoperable, Colfins said the standard prognosis is "only 11 to 14 months."
"Because my tumor is inoperable and the 'standard of care' is radiation and TMZ, the average prognosis is only 11-14 months. If that's all I have left, I'd rather spend it trying a treatment option that may one day become the new standard of care for everyone."
He vowed to search for new treatment methods, in hopes that he would find something that would help him, the next person with Stage 4 Glioblastoma.Because of his NBA career, Collins said money is not the reason he wants to travel all over the world to find a cure.
Collins wrote the same when he decided to come out as gay.In both cases, He can help people who will not take it lightly, and explain.
"When I came out, someone I really respected told me that my choice to live openly could help someone I'd never meet. I've been doing it for years. And if I do it again now, it's important."
Collins was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.However, he never played for the franchise as he was traded to the New Jersey Nets.In total, Collins spent 13 seasons in the NBA with six different franchises.
The majority of his time came with the Nets, who he later joined in his final NBA season.He saw time in 22 games in the 2013–14 season, averaging 7.8 minutes per game in Brooklyn.At the end of the season, Collins announced his retirement from the NBA.
