'A monster with tentacles' - Basketball star reveals brain cancer diagnosis

December 12, 2025

Former NBA player Jason Collins, who made history as the first openly gay active male athlete in major American professional sports, has revealed he is battling stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive and inoperable brain cancer. The 47-year-old discovered his condition after experiencing cognitive difficulties following his May wedding, when a brain scan revealed a tumor spreading across his brain. Collins is currently receiving Avastin treatment and undergoing specialized chemotherapy in Singapore to slow the disease's progression, which doctors said would be fatal within three months without intervention.

Who is affected

Jason Collins (former NBA player diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma)
Collins' husband (married in May, witnessing his spouse's illness)
Collins' family (released initial statement about the tumor)
Future cancer patients who may benefit from Collins' treatment contributions
The LGBTQ+ community and those inspired by Collins' openness

What action is being taken

Collins is undergoing treatment with Avastin drug to slow tumor growth
Collins is traveling to Singapore for targeted chemotherapy
Collins is receiving medical treatment from doctors who are managing his inoperable disease

Why it matters

This matters because Collins is using his public platform to raise awareness about an aggressive form of brain cancer while potentially contributing to medical research that could help future patients. His openness mirrors the groundbreaking courage he demonstrated when becoming the first openly gay active player in major American professional sports, potentially inspiring others facing serious health challenges to seek treatment and share their stories. The diagnosis also highlights how glioblastoma affects individuals in their prime years, as Collins was recently married and enjoying what he describes as the best years of his life.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC