Jason Collins: former NBA player opens up about heartbreaking diagnosis

Former NBA player Jason Collins has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, and is currently undergoing treatment.

Collins, who played 13 seasons in the NBA, shared his diagnosis in a personal account published this week. He said his family had initially released a brief statement confirming he had a brain tumour while he was unable to speak for himself, choosing to keep details private as they worked to understand the seriousness of his condition.

According to Collins, his symptoms developed rapidly, beginning with cognitive issues and difficulty concentrating. He said the changes were sudden and alarming, eventually prompting urgent medical scans that led doctors to diagnose Stage 4 glioblastoma, a fast-growing cancer that affects the brain.

He explained that the tumour’s location made full surgical removal impossible without significant risk, and doctors warned that without treatment the outlook would have been extremely limited. Collins is now undergoing a combination of treatments, including radiation and targeted therapies, with the aim of slowing the disease and maintaining quality of life.

The former centre played for several NBA teams during his career, including the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. He said he decided to speak publicly now so that people could hear directly from him, rather than relying on second-hand updates.

Collins also reflected on the support he has received from his family and friends throughout his illness, as well as the mindset he has carried over from his years as a professional athlete. He said that approach has helped him focus on the challenge ahead rather than the uncertainty surrounding his diagnosis.

While acknowledging the seriousness of his condition, Collins said he is determined to fight the disease and hopes that sharing his experience may also help others facing similar diagnoses.