Jason Paul Collins (born December 2, 1978) is a retired American professional basketball player who competed for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a center and power forward. He was drafted 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA draft following an exceptional college career at Stanford University, where he received All-American accolades. Collins became known as a versatile big man recognized for his resilience, screen-setting, rebounding, and defense rather than scoring.
Throughout his career, he played for eight NBA franchises: the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (twice), Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and once more with the Brooklyn Nets. On April 29, 2013, Collins came out as gay in a groundbreaking Sports Illustrated cover story, becoming the first active male athlete in any of the four major North American professional team sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) to do so. He made his return to the NBA in February 2014 with the Brooklyn Nets, marking a historic moment as the first openly gay player to compete in a regular-season game in those leagues. Collins announced his retirement in November 2014. Since then, he has evolved into a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports, mental health awareness, and equality.
Here is a brief summary of essential information regarding Jason Collins:
| Full Name | Jason Paul Collins |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1978 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 47 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Height | 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) |
| Position | Center / Power Forward |
| NBA Career | 2001–2014 (13 seasons) |
| Net Worth (2025–2026 estimate) | Approximately $12–18 million |
| Marital Status | Married to Brunson Green (since May 2025) |
Biography
Jason Collins was born on December 2, 1978, in Los Angeles, California, just eight minutes before his identical twin brother Jarron Collins, who also had an NBA career. Both siblings attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where they clinched two California Interscholastic Federation state championships and achieved a combined high school record of 123–10. Jason surpassed the California high-school career rebounding record with 1,500 rebounds. He later played college basketball at Stanford University (1997–2001), where he distinguished himself as a standout center and earned All-Pac-10 first-team recognition in 2000–01. He concluded his Stanford journey ranked first in school history for field-goal percentage (.608) and third in blocked shots (89).
Collins was chosen 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA draft but was swiftly traded to the New Jersey Nets, where he spent the initial seven seasons of his career. He became a dependable role player, appreciated for his robust defense, screen-setting, and rebounding skills. Over his 13-year NBA tenure, Collins played for eight teams, averaging 3.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game during the regular season. Although he was not known for high scoring, he was acknowledged for his defensive intelligence, on-court leadership, and professionalism.
On April 29, 2013, Collins made history by publicly revealing his sexual orientation in a Sports Illustrated cover story, thus becoming the first active male athlete in the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL to do so. Prior to this, he had been engaged to former WNBA player Carolyn Moos (they called off their wedding in 2009). Collins made a return to the NBA in February 2014, signing with the Brooklyn Nets, and participated in 22 games that season, solidifying his place as the first openly gay player to compete in a regular-season game in one of the four major North American pro leagues. He announced his retirement in November 2014.
Following his retirement, Collins has served as an NBA and ESPN analyst, a consultant for inclusion initiatives, and a speaker addressing LGBTQ+ matters, mental health, and diversity in sports. He has received accolades from organizations like the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013) and has remained a visible champion for equality.
Husband
Jason Collins wed film producer Brunson Green in May 2025 during a private ceremony. The couple had been dating since June 2014. Green, who has produced films such as The Help (2011) and Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013), has been a steadfast partner throughout Collins’s post-playing journey and advocacy efforts. Their marriage garnered attention as a significant milestone for the representation of gay athletes in long-term, committed relationships. As of early 2026, Collins and Green live in Los Angeles and continue to mutually support one another both publicly and privately.
Stats
Jason Collins participated in 13 seasons (2001–2014) in the NBA and took part in 735 regular-season matches. Below are his career averages for the regular season and playoffs:
Regular Season Career Averages
| Games Played (GP) | 735 |
| Points (PPG) | 3.6 |
| Rebounds (RPG) | 3.7 |
| Assists (APG) | 0.9 |
| Blocks (BPG) | 0.5 |
| Steals (SPG) | 0.5 |
| Field Goal % (FG%) | 41.1% |
| Free Throw % (FT%) | 64.7% |
| Minutes (MPG) | 20.4 |
Playoff Career Averages
| Games Played (GP) | 95 |
| Points (PPG) | 3.3 |
| Rebounds (RPG) | 3.8 |
| Assists (APG) | 0.5 |
| Blocks (BPG) | 0.4 |
| Steals (SPG) | 0.4 |
| Field Goal % (FG%) | 40.0% |
| Free Throw % (FT%) | 67.7% |
| Minutes (MPG) | 21.4 |
Collins was never known for high-scoring games but earned respect for his defense, screen-setting capabilities, and basketball intelligence.
Coach
Jason Collins did not play for or under a singular defining “coach” in the way some players are closely affiliated with one mentor. However, several coaches played pivotal roles in his career:
- Stanford University – Under the guidance of head coach Mike Montgomery, Collins evolved into an All-American center.
- New Jersey Nets – Coaches Byron Scott and Lawrence Frank depended on him as a defensive cornerstone and starter during the Nets’ Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.
- Atlanta Hawks – Larry Drew appreciated Collins’s veteran experience and defense against big players like Dwight Howard.
- Brooklyn Nets – Jason Kidd, a former teammate from the New Jersey Nets, personally pushed for Collins’s return in 2014, making him the first openly gay athlete to compete in an NBA regular-season game.
Collins has not pursued a formal coaching career post-retirement but has engaged in roles as an analyst and consultant, frequently discussing leadership, inclusion, and team dynamics.
Marriage
Jason Collins wedded film producer Brunson Green in May 2025 in an intimate ceremony. The couple has been together since June 2014, a relationship which began shortly after Collins publicly came out in 2013. Green, recognized for producing movies like The Help (2011) and Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013), has been a consistent figure in Collins’s life after basketball.
Their marriage was widely noted as a positive milestone for visibility and representation of long-term gay relationships among former professional athletes. As of early 2026, Collins and Green reside together in Los Angeles and continue to uplift each other’s careers and advocacy actions.
Family
Jason Collins hails from a tightly-knit family with a strong basketball heritage:
- Twin Brother – Jarron Collins, who also played 10 seasons in the NBA (2001–2011) as a center for teams including the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets. The brothers competed against each other several times and maintain a deep bond.
- Parents – Jason and Jarron were raised by parents in Los Angeles. Their father encouraged their basketball pursuits.
- Husband – Brunson Green (married May 2025), a film producer.
- Extended Family – Collins has emphasized the significance of family support after publicly coming out, with both his parents and brother standing by him during his revelation and career transition.
Collins does not have offspring and has not publicly shared intentions to start a family.
Net Worth
Jason Collins’s net worth is estimated at $12–18 million as of 2025–2026. His wealth primarily stems from his 13-year career in the NBA (2001–2014), during which he accrued around $40–50 million in salary from various contracts. His most significant deals were with the New Jersey Nets (a five-year, $25 million extension signed in 2004) and subsequent veteran minimum and mid-level contracts with Atlanta, Boston, Washington, and Brooklyn.
Since retirement, Collins has generated income through media work (as an ESPN and NBA TV analyst), speaking engagements, consulting on inclusion and diversity matters, and appearances in documentaries and interviews. He has also profited from endorsements and sponsorships related to his historic announcement. Collins has been active in philanthropy, including efforts with the Matthew Shepard Foundation and GLSEN, but no major new business initiatives or financial updates have been publicly disclosed as of early 2026.
