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Detroit — Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem paid tribute to Jason Collins on Tuesday night.
Collins, the first active player to be openly gay in any of North America's four major professional sports league, died of brain cancer at the age of 47.
Collins came out in 2013, in a Sports Illustrated cover story. At the time, Tellem was his agent.
"Representing Jason Collins was one of the great honors and privileges of my life — not only as an agent, but as a counselor and confidant," Tellem said in a statement.
"What made Jason so special were the qualities that defined his remarkable 13-year NBA career, and more importantly, his life: toughness, intelligence, responsibility, selflessness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others.
"He was always something bigger than himself, and that guided him through every challenged life placed in his path. Helping him navigate his decision to come out as the first openly gay active professional athlete was profoundly meaningful to me.
"The courage he showed changed lives and transcended our game. His impact reached far beyond basketball."
Collins, a 7-foot center, played in the NBA from 2001-14, with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. The Nets signed him after he came out in the Sports Illustrated article.
He was a first-round draft pick (No. 18 overall) by the Houston Rockets out of Stanford in 2001.
For his NBA career, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds.
"Jason's legacy stands as a beacon for tolerance, dignity, respect, inclusion, compassion, and understanding," Tellem said. "He left this world better than he found it — and his courage, his humanity, and his example will continue to inspire generations to come.
"For all of us who were fortunate enough to know him, Jason will never be defined by the moment we lost him, but by the countless lives he lifted, the barriers he broke, and the enduring example he set for how to live with courage, gracde, and purpose."
Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma late in 2025, and underwent experimental treatment overseas.
He married film producer Brunson Green in May 2025.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jason Collins 'changed lives,' Pistons executive, former agent says
Continue reading...
Collins, the first active player to be openly gay in any of North America's four major professional sports league, died of brain cancer at the age of 47.
Collins came out in 2013, in a Sports Illustrated cover story. At the time, Tellem was his agent.
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"Representing Jason Collins was one of the great honors and privileges of my life — not only as an agent, but as a counselor and confidant," Tellem said in a statement.
"What made Jason so special were the qualities that defined his remarkable 13-year NBA career, and more importantly, his life: toughness, intelligence, responsibility, selflessness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others.
"He was always something bigger than himself, and that guided him through every challenged life placed in his path. Helping him navigate his decision to come out as the first openly gay active professional athlete was profoundly meaningful to me.
"The courage he showed changed lives and transcended our game. His impact reached far beyond basketball."
You must be registered for see images attach
Collins, a 7-foot center, played in the NBA from 2001-14, with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. The Nets signed him after he came out in the Sports Illustrated article.
He was a first-round draft pick (No. 18 overall) by the Houston Rockets out of Stanford in 2001.
For his NBA career, Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds.
"Jason's legacy stands as a beacon for tolerance, dignity, respect, inclusion, compassion, and understanding," Tellem said. "He left this world better than he found it — and his courage, his humanity, and his example will continue to inspire generations to come.
"For all of us who were fortunate enough to know him, Jason will never be defined by the moment we lost him, but by the countless lives he lifted, the barriers he broke, and the enduring example he set for how to live with courage, gracde, and purpose."
Collins was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma late in 2025, and underwent experimental treatment overseas.
He married film producer Brunson Green in May 2025.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jason Collins 'changed lives,' Pistons executive, former agent says
Continue reading...
