NBA Pioneer Jason Collins Reveals Stage IV Brain Cancer Diagnosis.
Retired NBA player Jason Collins has received a diagnosis of stage IV brain cancer.
“A few months back, my family issued a brief announcement stating I had a brain tumor. It was concise but purposely imprecise,” Collins, aged 47, explained in an article for ESPN released on Thursday, December 11. “They chose to do that to safeguard my privacy while I lacked the mental capacity to speak independently, and while those close to me were trying to grasp the situation. However, now I believe it's time for people to receive the information straight from me.”
The ex-Washington Wizards center proceeded, “I am afflicted with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which is among the most lethal types of brain cancer. It progressed with remarkable speed.”
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Collins, recognized as the NBA's first openly gay athlete, shared that his symptoms started several months following his wedding to husband Brunson Green in May. He and Green, 58, were scheduled to go to the U.S. Open in August, but they failed to make their flight because Collins struggled to concentrate on packing his bags.
“I had been experiencing unusual symptoms like these for a couple of weeks, but as long as nothing felt truly severe, I intended to persevere. I am an athlete," he remarked.
After Collins underwent a CT scan at UCLA, the technician promptly informed him that he needed to consult a specialist.
“My family stated that within hours, my mental sharpness, short-term recall, and understanding vanished — resembling an NBA player's equivalent of ‘Dory’ from ‘Finding Nemo.’ We would discover precisely how serious the situation was over the subsequent weeks,” he penned. “Glioblastoma is perilous because it develops within a restricted, enclosed area — the cranium — and is highly invasive and capable of growth. The difficulty in treating it in my specific situation arises because it's encircled by the brain matter and is encroaching on the frontal lobe — the area that defines your identity.”
Collins likened his cancer to a “monster with tentacles spreading across the base of my brain, covering an area the size of a baseball.” He stated that without intensive intervention, he would likely be deceased within six weeks to three months.
Collins further described his experience receiving an anti-cancer medication and undergoing radiation therapy, which enabled him to emerge from his "mental haze" and recover his walking ability. He stated his resolve to overcome the glioblastoma, regardless of the effort required.
“We will not passively allow this cancer to defeat me without putting up a strong resistance,” Collins stated. “We plan to attack it proactively, using methods it hasn't faced before: with radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, which, although still under research, presents the most hopeful approach for this specific type of cancer.”
He added, “The typical life expectancy is only 11 to 14 months. Should that be the extent of my remaining time, I prefer to dedicate it to pursuing a new treatment protocol that could eventually become a standard option for others.”
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In September, Collins' relatives announced that he was receiving care for a brain tumor.
“NBA Ambassador and veteran of 13 seasons, Jason Collins, is currently receiving treatment for a brain tumor,” they confirmed in a statement then. “Jason and his family appreciate your prayers and support and request privacy as they prioritize Jason's health and recovery.”
Collins was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft before being transferred to the New Jersey Nets. He remained with the Nets until 2008 before joining the Memphis Grizzlies. Collins also had stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards. He finished his professional basketball career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2014.
