Jason Collins, the former NBA centre who became the first openly gay player in any of North America's major professional sports leagues while still active, has died at the age of 47. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but his family released a statement confirming the news.

Collins played for six teams across 13 seasons, most notably the New Jersey Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, carving a reputation as a solid defensive backup. Yet his legacy transcended basketball. In April 2013, he announced he was gay in a first-person essay for Sports Illustrated. The revelation came at a time when homophobia in professional sport was still deeply entrenched. His courage reshaped the conversation about sexuality in athletics.

Reaction from the sports world has been swift. The NBA released a statement calling Collins “a pioneer whose impact will be felt for generations.” Former president Barack Obama, who phoned Collins after his announcement, said he “changed the game not just in basketball, but in the broader fight for equality.”

Since retiring in 2014, Collins remained a visible activist, working with LGBTQ+ youth organisations and speaking out against discrimination. His voice carried a quiet but firm authority, the same calm urgency he brought to the court.

In an era where climate change drives existential uncertainty, Collins’s bravery reminds us that systemic change often begins with individual truth. He leaves behind a sport more inclusive than the one he entered. A life measured not just in points and rebounds, but in the lives he made safer.

Details of memorial services have yet to be announced.