The NBA Trailblazers family shares details about the 46 -year health battle

Jason Collins, who in 2013 made history when he became the first openly gay player in the NBA, is currently experiencing treatment for a brain tumor.

Collins’ family made the announcement about former 46 -year health athlete Thursday afternoon in a brief statement published on NBA social networks.

“Jason and his family welcome their support and prayers and kindly ask for privacy while dedicating their attention to the health and well -being of Jason,” reads the statement.

The news attracted a large amount of support from fans, as well as some of Collins’ old teams.

“Jason is really a Stanford’s basketball pillar and has also been an inspiration in his life after playing,” said Eric Reveno, who is a male associate coach at Stanford University of California, in a statement. “Hold on your favorite story of Jason and think about what you will share with him when he wins this battle.”

“Send our love and support to [Jason Collins] and his family, ”the Brooklyn Nets wrote on Instagram.

David Dow through Getty Images

Native of Northridge, California, Collins was recruited in the NBA in 2001 by the Houston Rockets. He would continue playing for New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets before their retirement in 2014.

Collins went to his sexuality for the first time in an illustrated sports interview in 2013, becoming the first athlete to leave as gay while he is active in one of the four main sports leagues in the United States.

“I wish I was not the child in the classroom raising his hand and saying: ‘I am different’. If I got mine, someone else would have done this,” he said at that time. “No one has, that’s why I’m raising my hand.”

Since his retirement, Collins has remained active in the NBA as an ambassador, and has become a firm LGBTQ+ rights defender. He and her husband, film producer Brunson Green, married earlier this year in Texas.