Mandy
Former NBA center Jason Collins, who played for six teams during a 13-year NBA career and became the first openly gay active NBA player, is now facing the toughest challenge of his life.
He has been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer.
This is Collins’ personal account of how his diagnosis unfolded, how treatment has begun, and why he refuses to stop fighting.
Breaking The Silence On His Diagnosis
A few months earlier, Collins’ family released a brief statement confirming he had a brain tumor, intentionally keeping details limited.
At the time, he was mentally unable to speak for himself, and his loved ones were still trying to understand the severity of the situation.
Now, Collins is ready to speak openly.
He has Stage 4 glioblastoma, an extremely fast-growing brain cancer that appeared with little warning.
From Wedding Bliss To Medical Crisis
In May, Collins married his longtime partner, Brunson Green, in Austin, Texas. It was a joyful moment and the beginning of a new chapter. By August, however, things changed dramatically.
While preparing for their annual trip to the US Open, Collins found himself unable to focus, pack, or stay organized.
For the first time in decades, he missed a flight—not because of travel issues, but because something was seriously wrong.
Despite unusual symptoms lasting a week or two, Collins pushed through, relying on the mindset he built as an athlete. But his body and mind were signaling a deeper problem.
A Shocking Discovery At UCLA
A CT scan at UCLA revealed alarming results almost immediately. Within minutes, technicians stopped the scan and called for a specialist. Collins knew instantly that this was not routine.
According to his family, his mental clarity, memory, and comprehension rapidly deteriorated, leaving him confused and disoriented.
Over the following weeks, doctors confirmed the diagnosis: glioblastoma multiforme.
Understanding Glioblastoma
What makes glioblastoma so dangerous is its aggressive nature and its location within the skull—a confined space where growth quickly becomes life-threatening.
In Collins’ case:
- The tumor is unresectable, meaning it cannot be safely removed.
- It spreads across both hemispheres of the brain in a butterfly pattern.
- It is pressing into the frontal lobe, the area responsible for personality, reasoning, and identity.
The biopsy revealed a 30% growth factor, meaning that without treatment, Collins likely had only six weeks to three months to live.
Even more concerning, his tumor is “wild type”, filled with mutations that make it especially resistant to standard treatments.
Early Days In The Hospital
Much of the initial diagnosis was explained while Collins was mentally fogged and unable to process the information.
His husband recalls that Collins temporarily lost interest in things he once loved, including tennis, and instead gravitated toward quiet Korean soap operas—despite not understanding the language.
Family and friends visited, unsure if he would ever fully regain awareness.
The Turning Point: Treatment Begins
Doctors determined that Collins needed to leave the hospital quickly to begin Avastin, a drug designed to slow tumor growth and reduce swelling. Radiation therapy followed shortly after.
The results were encouraging:
- Within days, his mental clarity improved.
- He progressed from being wheeled into radiation to walking independently.
- By mid-October, he was taking short walks around his neighborhood.
Gradually, he regained enough awareness to begin researching glioblastoma treatments himself.
An Athlete’s Mentality: Refusing To Panic
Collins approached the diagnosis the same way he approached elite competition. As he put it, this challenge felt like guarding prime Shaquille O’Neal—daunting, but not impossible.
Working with renowned neuro-oncologist Dr. Henry Friedman from Duke, Collins leaned into discipline, resilience, and determination—traits that defined his basketball career.
Exploring Advanced And Experimental Treatments
Because his tumor’s genetics make standard temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy ineffective, Collins pursued alternative options.
He is currently receiving targeted chemotherapy in Singapore, using EDVs (EnGeneIC Dream Vectors)—a cutting-edge delivery system designed to bypass the blood-brain barrier.
These microscopic carriers act like a Trojan horse, delivering chemotherapy directly to glioblastoma cells.
The long-term goal is to:
- Slow tumor growth
- Maintain physical strength
- Qualify for personalized immunotherapy, currently under development
Why He’s Choosing An Unconventional Path
With standard care alone, the average prognosis for unresectable glioblastoma is 11 to 14 months. Collins chose not to accept that limit.
If his journey helps advance treatment—even if it does not save him—he believes it will still matter.
Having the financial ability to seek care worldwide, Collins hopes his experience may contribute to future breakthroughs for others facing the same diagnosis.
Strength, Identity, And Purpose
Just as coming out publicly in 2013 helped others he would never meet, Collins believes fighting this disease openly may inspire hope for patients and families facing glioblastoma.
Even before hospitalization, his body warned him something was wrong—like the moment he fell at home and struggled to get up, unable to process basic movement. Instead of panicking, he focused on solving the problem calmly.
That mindset remains unchanged.
Jason Collins’ Stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis is undeniably devastating, but his response has been defined by courage, honesty, and relentless determination.
From pioneering change in professional sports to confronting one of medicine’s deadliest cancers, Collins continues to face adversity head-on.
His journey is not just about survival—it is about pushing boundaries, advancing science, and proving that even in the darkest moments, purpose and strength can still lead the way.
FAQs
What type of cancer does Jason Collins have?
Jason Collins has Stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and fast-growing brain cancer.
Why can’t his tumor be surgically removed?
His tumor spreads across both hemispheres of the brain and is located near the frontal lobe, making surgery unsafe.
What treatment is Jason Collins currently receiving?
He is undergoing radiation, Avastin therapy, and targeted chemotherapy using EDVs, with plans for future immunotherapy.