Former Harvard-Westlake standout and retired NBA participant Jason Collins is receiving therapy for a mind tumor, the league introduced Thursday.
In a press release launched on behalf of Collins and his household, the NBA stated:
“Jason and his household welcome your help and prayers and kindly ask for privateness as they dedicate their consideration to Jason’s well being and well-being.”
The 46-year-old from Northridge rose to prominence within the mid-Nineties alongside twin brother Jarron. Collectively they led Harvard-Westlake to back-to-back state Division III championships in 1996 and 1997. Collins earned Division III state participant of the yr each seasons, and his mark on California highschool basketball historical past lasted nicely over a decade. His 1,500 profession rebounds remained a CIF state document till 2010, when Hemet West Valley’s Joe Burton handed him with 1,721 boards.
Collins went on to star at Stanford, the place he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in his senior season. Drafted 18th total by the Houston Rockets in 2001 and traded on draft evening to the New Jersey Nets, Collins carved out a 13-year NBA profession. He averaged 3.6 factors and three.7 rebounds whereas suiting up for the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards.
Collins made historical past off the courtroom as nicely. In April 2013, he got here out publicly as homosexual in an open letter. A number of months later, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets and on February 23, 2014, when the Nets confronted the Los Angeles Lakers, he grew to become the primary lively NBA participant to come back out as homosexual. He retired on the finish of that season and transitioned into work with the league as an NBA Cares ambassador.
In Might, Collins married longtime companion Brunson Inexperienced, marking one other milestone in a life that has damaged limitations and impressed numerous followers.
For now, his household says the main focus is fully on his restoration. The NBA’s assertion made clear that Collins’ well being is the precedence and requested for privateness whereas he undergoes therapy.
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