May 12 (UPI) -- Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player who later carved out a high-profile role as a goodwill ambassador for the game of basketball, has died of brain cancer, the NBA announced Tuesday. He was 47.
Collins' family revealed in September that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and in December, the former 13-year veteran confirmed he had Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.
His death was announced by family members in a statement that read, "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. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins' impact and influence "extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."
