Thirteen-year NBA veteran Jason Collins is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, the league announced on Thursday.
Collins, 46, became the first openly gay athlete to play in a big-four sport in 2014 when he suited up for the Brooklyn Nets.
“Jason and his family welcome your support and prayers and kindly ask for your privacy as they dedicate their attention to Jason’s health and well-being,” the league said in a statement.
A native of Northridge, CA, Collins was originally selected with the 18th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft out of Stanford by the Houston Rockets and dealt to the Nets in a draft-day trade.
He would go on to appear in 735 career games with the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.
Collins came out as gay at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 season. He rejoined the Nets in February of 2014 and finished his career with 22 games that season.
Collins’s twin brother, Jarron Collins, appeared in 542 games over 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers from 2001 to 2011.