Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer , the league announced. NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations." "He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his