Former Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins had a solid career in the NBA as he spent 13 years, including the Nets while the team was in New Jersey and in Brooklyn. Collins retired from the NBA in 2014 and while he wasn’t in the spotlight following the end of his playing career, he has been in the news for a different reason due to his dealing with brain cancer.
“I’m now down to 240 pounds, and before this, I was like 260. That was really crazy to lose that amount of weight,” Collins said during a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. Collins’ family put out a statement this summer saying that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, but the interview with Shelburne revealed that the former Stanford Cardinal is dealing with Stage 4 Glioblastoma.
“So, I have a glioblastoma. It is butterflied. It’s pretty much taken over. We just finished a treatment for radiation, but the glioblastoma will learn how to regrow,” Collins continued while explaining his condition. “It would have doubled in size in like two to three weeks. I remember my brother talking about the battle that I’m going to face. He’s like ‘you have to fight.’ That’s what I’ve done my whole life is fight.”
A Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant (cancerous) brain tumor in adults, according to Cleveland Clinic. Glioblastoma is a devastating type of cancer that can result in death in fewer than six months without treatment and more than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with Glioblastoma every year, but since Collins is getting treatment, he should be able to live for 13 months.
Collins, 47, ended his NBA career averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41.4% from the field and 64.7% from the free-throw line. Ultimately, Collins is going through the most important battle of his life as he is continuing to fight to stay alive for as long as possible before he passes away from his brain cancer. The Nets organization will remember him fondly.
Former Nets center Jason Collins underwent treatment for his Glioblastoma in September and now, he explains everything that is happening with him.
“I’m now down to 240 pounds, and before this, I was like 260. That was really crazy to lose that amount of weight.” https://t.co/pJdUxMryb8
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) December 11, 2025
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Former Net Jason Collins give behind-the-scenes look on brain cancer
