Late NBA star Jason Collins is survived by his partner of 13 years, husband Brunson Green.
Collins, the first openly gay NBA athlete, died in May 2026.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” the athlete’s family told the NBA in a statement. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Jason Collins, 1st Openly Gay NBA Player, Dead at 47
Collins publicly came out as gay in 2013, one year before retiring from pro basketball.
“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything,” Collins wrote in a December 2025 essay for ESPN. “This was like, I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I’m gay. Just so everyone knows cards on the table, this is where I am.”
Collins started dating Green that same year. They wed in May 2025.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Collins’ husband:
How Did Jason Collins and Brunson Green Meet?
Collins and Green were introduced months after the pro athlete publicly came out as gay.
“We first met at a housewarming party last June, but I was dating someone else at the time,” Collins told The New York Times in June 2014. “Fast-forward to September, I’m single again, and I see him at a party in L.A. So we exchange information because he was leaving for Europe the next day. But while he was gone, I was asking everyone: Have you heard of this guy? The background check.”
Collins and Green were together for a decade before tying the knot in May 2025.
Brunson Green Is a Movie Producer
Green has worked as a film producer for decades, working on movies like 2011’s The Help.
“Well, we met in Mississippi through a mutual friend, and the only reason she introduced us was because he was interested in working in film and our mutual friend was like, ‘Brunson is coming into town and he works in film,’” Green told Collider at the time, referring to Tate Taylor. “So, she asked us to go to this blues festival together, and that’s when we first met. We had a lot of mutual friends, but we went to different high schools, so we didn’t know each other as kids. Our parents knew each other, but it was rival high schools.”
Green added, “So, our first conversation was about film. I suggested that he go work on this movie called A Time to Kill, which was shooting in Jackson, and he worked on that and met Octavia [Spencer] on that movie. It’s weird that that one friend of ours in Mississippi, who put us together, is the whole reason Tate met Octavia, and then they all moved to L.A. We’re here because of friendship. It’s cool.”
Celebrity Deaths of 2026: NBA Player Jason Collins and More
Brunson Green Supported Jason Collins During His Cancer Battle
Collins was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2025. Green stood by his side throughout his treatment.
“Even when fighting brain cancer, you have to recharge and @thesanchaya is the perfect getaway to do that,” Collins wrote via Instagram in November 2025. “Very relaxing birthday weekend for @brunsong & me. ❤️🏝️☀️😎💪🏾🙌🏾.”
