First Openly Gay NBA Player Jason Collins Diagnosed With Brain Tumor, League Confirms⁠ ⁠ Blogged by: thinktank⁠ ⁠ #JasonCollins, known not only for his time in the #NBA but for breaking barriers as the league’s first openly gay player, is now facing a serious health challenge. The NBA announced Thursday that Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.⁠ ⁠ “Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being,” read the official statement from the league.⁠ ⁠ Standing 7 feet tall, Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA, spending the majority of his career with the New Jersey and Brooklyn Nets. He also had stints with the Hawks, Celtics, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Wizards. Selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2001, he averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over 735 games.⁠ ⁠ “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” he wrote. “But...