Jason Collins

Who is Jason Collins?

Jason Paul Collins, born on December 2, 1978, in Northridge, California, is a former professional basketball player known for his defensive skills in the NBA. He played alongside his twin brother, Jarron, in both high school and college. Collins made history on April 29, 2013, when he became the first active male athlete in one of the four major North American professional sports leagues to publicly come out as gay, marking a significant milestone in sports and LGBTQ+ representation.

Early Years and Education

Jason Collins and his brother, Jarron, played basketball at Harvard-Westlake High School in North Hollywood, California. Notably, actor Jason Segel was their backup during their time on the team. The Collins twins helped lead the school to two California State championships. In 1997, Jason earned a spot on the McDonald’s High School Basketball All-American Team.

The brothers continued their basketball journey at Stanford University. Jason faced injury challenges early in his college career, playing only eight games in his first two seasons. However, he made a strong comeback, averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his senior year, earning an honorable mention on the All-American Team. He graduated with a degree in communications before being selected as the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets.

NBA Career

Jason Collins may not have emerged as a star in the NBA, but his formidable 7’0″ frame and 255-pound build made him a reliable defensive force against the league’s best and biggest players. He played a key role for the New Jersey Nets during their back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Collins had his most productive season in 2004-05, when he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, though he also led the league in personal fouls with 322.

In 2008, Collins briefly played for the Memphis Grizzlies before moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2008-09 season. His most stable period came with the Atlanta Hawks, where he contributed solid defense off the bench and helped the team reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons there. By the 2012-13 season, Collins’ playing time had diminished, as he played sparingly for the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards, averaging just 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. He became a free agent following that season.

In 2014, Collins made history by signing a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first openly gay athlete to sign with a U.S. professional sports team. Later that year, the Nets extended his contract for the remainder of the season. On November 19, 2014, Collins announced his retirement after a 13-year NBA career.

Coming Out

On April 29, 2013, Collins made headlines by becoming the first openly gay active male athlete in the four major North American professional sports leagues. His announcement, made through an article in the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated, explained his decision to come out. Collins had grown weary of keeping his secret and was particularly frustrated when he was unable to join his former roommate, Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, at Boston’s 2012 Gay Pride Parade. The Boston Marathon bombings further crystallized his resolve, as he realized the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living authentically.

Collins’ announcement was met with widespread support. NBA icons such as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash voiced their encouragement, while White House spokesman Jay Carney praised his courage. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, whose daughter Chelsea had attended Stanford with Collins, also applauded his decision, calling it “the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.”

Personal Life

Prior to coming out, Collins was engaged to former WNBA player Carolyn Moos, but he unexpectedly called off their wedding in 2009. On the same day his Sports Illustrated article was published in 2013, Collins reached out to Moos to explain his sexuality, marking the first time the two had openly discussed it.

As of 2014, Collins was reportedly dating Oscar-nominated producer Brunson Green.