The NBA introduced that former Brooklyn Nets middleJason Collins has been recognized with a mind tumor and can quickly start remedy. The league confirmed the information in an official assertion, expressing help for Collins and his household throughout this tough time.
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NBA Ambassador and 13-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is presently present process remedy for a mind tumor,” the assertion learn. “Jason and his household welcome your help and prayers and kindly ask for privateness as they dedicate their consideration to Jason’s well being and well-being.
Jason and his twin brother, Jarron, performed faculty basketball collectively at Stanford College earlier than each entered the NBA in 2001.
His resolution to return out
For a lot of his profession, Collins saved his sexual orientation personal. It wasn’t till 2013, whereas he was a free agent, that he brazenly mentioned it in an interview with Sports activities Illustrated, making headlines all through the sports activities world.
The next season, his former teammate Jason Kidd, then teaching the Brooklyn Nets, introduced him onto the staff because the franchise was settling into its new residence in Brooklyn.
On February 23, 2014, Collins signed a 10-day contract, making historical past as the primary brazenly homosexual participant to compete in an NBA sport. He remained with the Nets for the remainder of that season earlier than formally asserting his retirement in November of the identical yr.
Collins selected to put on the quantity 88 jersey, which rapidly grew to become one of the acknowledged numbers within the league. Later, he revealed that he chosen it to honor Matthew Shepard, a school scholar who shared his sexual orientation and was brutally crushed, tortured, and left for useless close to Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998.
Criticism and affect
On the time, some critics accused the Nets of signing Collins merely to generate publicity because the staff transitioned to a brand new market. The group denied these claims, emphasizing that the choice was based mostly solely on basketball causes and the worth Collins dropped at the staff.
“Toughness, rebounding the ball, being skilled.” “He brings quite a bit to the desk for us.
Kidd stated of Collins.
Collins’ braveness impressed many LGBTQ followers, who felt represented seeing him compete on the highest stage {of professional} basketball.
There aren’t simply cracks within the dam,” stated Jared Max, a outstanding homosexual sports activities persona within the New York space. “There are locations the place water is flowing proper by.
The information of Collins’ sickness comes shortly after his marriage to longtime accomplice Brunson Inexperienced, a 57-year-old Hollywood producer. The couple has been collectively since 2014, following Collins’ retirement. They grew to become engaged in 2023 in the course of the Los Angeles Lakers Pleasure Evening occasion.
After I was youthful, I dated girls.”… “I even obtained engaged. I assumed I needed to dwell a sure manner. I assumed I wanted to marry a lady and lift children together with her. I saved telling myself the sky was pink, however I at all times knew it was blue.
Collins stated in his groundbreaking 2013 interview.
