Jason Paul Collins (born December 2, 1978) is a retired American professional basketball player who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Stanford University where he was an All-American in 2000–01, before being drafted 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He went on to play for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.After the 2012–13 NBA season concluded, Collins publicly came out as gay. He became a free agent and did not play again until February 2014, when he signed with the Nets and became the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of four major North American pro sports leagues. In April 2014, Collins featured on the cover of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World."
Northridge, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)
Weight
116 kg
Profession
Actor
Education
Harvard-Westlake School, Stanford University
Nationality
American
Siblings
Jarron Collins
Movies
The Frozen Ground, Beyond, Treevenge
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Trademark
1
Towering height
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Quote
1
I always knew I was gay, it's like you know that the sky is blue but you keep telling yourself it is red. I fought it for a long time but when you finally get to the point of acceptance there is nothing more beautiful. It feels incredible.
2
I'm a thirty-four year old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying 'I'm different'. If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.
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Fact
1
One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. [April 2014].
2
(February 4) Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. [2008]
3
Drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2001 along with current teammate Richard Jefferson.
4
His twin brother, Jarron, plays for the Utah Jazz.
$16 Million
$1.3 Million
