Category: NBA

Jason Collins never won an NBA title or made an All-Star team, and you won’t find his name among the career leaders in any statistical category.

Yet, his legacy will be as great as that of LeBron James or Steph Curry. Maybe greater, because Collins’ impact goes well beyond basketball.

There was a before Jason Collins, when gay male athletes felt no choice but to hide their true selves and young men searching for someone like them in professional male sports thought they were alone.

And, thankfully, there is an after.

The number of male athletes who played major professional sports after coming out is still dishearteningly small, but it is no longer zero. No one will have to bear the colossal burden of being the very first openly gay man in any of the major professional leagues because Collins was courageous enough to do it.

That is his legacy. That is his gift to every athlete who comes after him.  

“Jason changed lives through his courage, authenticity, and commitment to helping others feel seen,” tennis great Billie Jean King, the first prominent female professional athlete to come out, said in a statement on social media.

“His legacy extends far beyond basketball. He helped move sports and society forward with strength.”

Collins’ family announced Tuesday, May 12, that the former NBA center had died. The 47-year-old revealed in December that he’d been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.

Gay male athletes felt they had to hide

Of course there were gay men in the NBA – and the NFL and Major League Baseball and the NHL – before Collins came out in April 2013. But none felt safe enough to share their true self with the world while they were still playing.

Trash talk and insults have always been a mother tongue in sports, and for far too long, homophobic slurs were one of the main dialects in male locker rooms. Whether it was spoken or just implied, the message to closeted players was that coming out risked upsetting that delicate balance. A player brave enough to tell the world his truth might alienate his teammates, fracture the chemistry of a team.

And if that happened on one team, the door to the rest of the league would slam shut. A player could lose his livelihood and the sport he loved just for wanting to be his authentic self.

So people stayed quiet. Some until their careers ended. Some for their entire lives.

But Collins was brave enough to want more, for himself, for other LGBTQ people, for our whole society.

Collins breaks barrier

“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,” Collins wrote in the first-person essay for Sports Illustrated announcing he was gay.

“… It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew,” Collins wrote. “And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.”

Collins was a free agent when he came out, and it would take nearly a year before a team signed him. He finally joined the Brooklyn Nets on a 10-day contract in February 2014, then wound up spending the rest of the season with them.

He played in 22 games, and the Nets didn’t implode and their locker room didn’t come apart. Brooklyn reached the Eastern Conference semifinals before losing to the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat. No shame in that.

Game changed when Collins came out

Collins retired that fall, but the game had forever shifted. He’d shattered the stereotypes of gay men and destroyed the idea that there was no room in the major professional sports for a gay man.

Seven years after Collins broke the barrier for gay male athletes, Carl Nassib became the first openly gay man to play in the NFL. Minor league pitcher Solomon Bates came out in 2022 and Anderson Comas, a Chicago White Sox prospect, did the same a year later.

“He helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Homophobia still exists in sports, male sports especially. There are still athletes reluctant to come out while they're playing for fear it will jeopardize their careers.

But Collins showed gay men that they didn't have to hide, that major men's professional sports were more ready to welcome them than they expected. He made it so that "never" could no longer be a barrier.

"Openness may not completely disarm prejudice," Collins wrote in 2013, "but it's a good place to start."

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Collins broke barriers for gay athletes in NBA and all sports

The NBA Draft Combine got underway Monday in Chicago, where Arizona’s Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries and Koa Peat performed measurements and drills in front of NBA decision makers.

Burries and Peat are both projected first-round picks, while some mock drafts have Bradley going late second round. Awaka is one of the players participating at the combine looking to make a good final impression, even if his draft prospects are marginal at best.

The combine, which runs all week, provides players with an opportunity to meet with NBA front offices face-to-face in addition to participating in obligatory tests and drills. Bradley is the only Arizona player to compete in 5 on 5 scrimmages, which run Wednesday and Thursday.

For Arizona fans, the major point of interest heading into this week was how Peat would measure up and perform in shooting drills. Suffice to say, Peat didn’t turn many heads with his shooting.

Peat was one of the worst shooters in Monday’s session, making 6 of 25 three-pointers and going 6 of 25 in the spot-up shooting drill. As ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote, “Peat’s shot looked dramatically different from what it did while he was at Arizona, with a slower motion and much lower release point. He didn’t look entirely comfortable with it Monday.”

Peat’s poor shooting display shouldn’t come as a surprise to Arizona fans who watched him struggle from the field throughout the season. Whether it’s enough of a concern for NBA GMs to the point where Peat feels he’d be better off returning for a sophomore year is another question.

Here is how Peat and the other Arizona players fared at the combine’s first days. The story will be updated with Bradley’s drill results. Credit to Kevin Thomas of PHNX for drill results of Peat, Awaka and Burries.

Koa Peat

Measurements

Height without shoes: 6’7

Weight: 245 lbs

Wingspan: 6’11.25″

Standing reach: 8’8″

Drill results (ranking by position group)

1st – No Step Vert

3rd – 3/4 Court Sprint

9th – Max Vert

11th – Pro Lane

31st – Shuttle Run

Shooting results (ranking overall)

67th – Spot up shooting (6-25)

53rd- Shooting off the dribble (15-30)

63rd – 3-point star drill (7-25)

40th – Free throw attempts (7-10)

58th – Side-mid-side (10-25)

Tobe Awaka

Measurements

Height without shoes: 6’8

Weight: 261.4 lbs

Wingspan: 7’2.25”

Standing reach: 8’9”

Drill results

6th – No Step Vert

8th – 3/4 Court Sprint

9th – Max Vert

9th – Pro Lane

24th – Shuttle Run

Shooting results:

38th – Spot up shooting (13-25)

31st- Shooting off the dribble (19-30)

58th – 3-point star drill (9-25)

40th – Free throw attempts (7-10)

20th – Side-mid-side (16-28)

Brayden Burries

Height without shoes: 6’3.75”

Weight: 215.4 lbs

Wingspan: 6’6

Standing reach: 8’2.5”

Drill results:

4th – No-Step Vert

18th – Max Vert

35th – Shuttle Run

Shooting results:

25th – Spot up shooting (14-25)

19th – Shooting off the dribble (21-30)

6th – 3-point star drill (17-25)

1st – Free throw attempts (10-10)

42nd – Side-mid-side (13-27)

Jaden Bradley

Height without shoes: 6’2.5”

Weight: 205.4 lbs

Wingspan: 6’6.25”

Standing reach: 8’0”

Shooting results:

58th- Spot up shooting (10-25)

31st – Shooting off the dribble (19-30)

35th – 3-point star drill (12-25)

27th – Free throw attempts (8-10)

50th – Side-mid-side (12-26)

Three down and one more to go until the Western Conference Finals.

Victor Wembanyama made amends for getting ejected two nights earlier with his rampage in the pivotal fifth game of the series against Minnesota.  The team’s 3-point shooting also helped them race out to an early lead and control of the boards assisted in keeping it. 

The Timberwolves didn’t roll over for as long as they could, but their half-court offense was derailed and an inability to score on second chances never let them take control from the Spurs. 

Observations

• Efficiency is not the gold standard in the playoffs because defenses are at a much higher level than the regular season and referees are allowing more contact. Still, Randle has been awful in major part due to San Antonio‘s pressure and half of his baskets came in garbage time. The sagging off gets his head, and he still tries to take highly contested shots. After this game, he’s now made 26 shots against 18 turnovers in this series. 
• The Spurs had an answer for Minnesota’s big runs because their offense had more layers and they were mentally tougher. On top of that, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper deserve credit for being critical in the takeover going into the fourth.
• The Wolves didn’t get the memo that you don’t bait great players. They tried to get physical, and even tried bush league tactics with Wemby, and that played right into his hands because he took it out on the rim, and his massive tentacles were the main reason the Wolves were ineffective in the lane. 
• Naz Reid told the press before the game that the Timberwolves wanted the Spurs at full strength. That resulted in the Spurs outscoring them by 32 in the lane. 
• The Timberwolves’ three-big lineup usually features Jaden McDaniels with one ball handler, which limits playmaking, but the defense is sharp. This lineup is supposed to be a big advantage, and was one that Reid mentioned before the game, but it was getting run off the floor in the third quarter without McDaniels.
• Anthony Edwards has been the leading scorer in this series (24.5 before Game 5), shooting decently in the lane, yet has been a marksman from outside. The Spurs held him this time to a good game, not a great one. He’s been the only one who has been consistently able to bend San Antonio‘s defense, yet their team looks ordinary when he’s not going wild.
• The Spurs’ eyes light up whenever Mike Conley is in the game because he can’t guard like he used to. Coach Chris Finch doesn’t have someone like Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney in his ear to tell him to play one of his younger, more athletic players (Jaylen Clark).
• There’s an old saying about coach Dean Smith being the only person who could shut down Michael Jordan, and some of that may be true to a degree for Mitch Johnson. Wembanyama had 18 points through 12 minutes in the second quarter before taking a brief rest when keeping him on the floor could’ve sent the Wolves deep into the depths of Tartarus earlier. In fairness to Luke Kornet, he was sharp in this spurt.
• Teams that win Game 5 after being tied 2-2 advance 81.5 percent of the time.

The billion-dollar question that everyone is asking is whether or not LeBron James will retire from basketball.

Has the 41-year-old James played his last basketball game in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform? Has he played his last basketball game ever?

James and the Lakers were eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs in the Western conference semifinals by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, four games to none. Immediately following the game, James provided some insight to reporters regarding the decision on his next chapter.

The short answer: nobody knows, not even James himself.

"I don't know. It's obviously still fresh from losing, you know, I don't know. I mean, I don't know what the future holds for me," James said on May 11 after the Lakers were swept by the Thunder. "Obviously, as it stands right now, tonight, I got a lot of time. I'll sit back, like I think I said last year, after we lost, I think to Minnesota there, go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them, and then when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do."

James is a four-time NBA champion and Finals MVP who has broken a number of NBA records — most seasons played (23), most games played (1,622), most career points scored in the regular season (43,440) and playoffs (8,521), most All-Star appearances (22), among many others.

His longest consecutive stint with one team has come with the Lakers, having finished his eighth season in Los Angeles. He arrived in LA as a free agent in 2018. His goal was to bring the Lakers back to relevancy, he told reporters.

Since James became a Laker, they have been among the league's better teams, winning an NBA championship in 2020 with another conference finals appearance in 2023. They've made the playoffs in all but two seasons.

During the 2025-26 season, James took on a role he's never played in his life: the third option behind the Lakers' backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

James proved that he could be dominant in any position he was placed in. He still averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in 60 games, while shooting 51.5% from the field.

James still had his moments to be the No. 1 option, none more than when both Reaves and Doncic went down with late-season injuries. James led the Lakers to a first-round upset against the Houston Rockets in the 2026 NBA playoffs.

Looking back at the ups and downs of the 2026 season, James said he will take time to decide what's best for his future. One of the contingencies is whether he still is in love with the preparation process and the steps it takes for him to perform at a high level of sustained greatness.

"I don't know. I think for me, it's about the process," James told reporters after their playoff elimination. "If I can commit to still being in love with the process, of showing (up) to the arena 5½ hours before a game to start preparing for a game. You know, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls, and, you know, doing everything that it takes to go out and play."

He added: "Showing up to practice, 11:00 practice. I'm here at 8:00, preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in. So I think for me, I've always been in love with the process, and not the aftermath of, like, we won that game, or won a championship. Like, I've always enjoyed the process and not more than outcome, so then that will be a big factor."

One of the things impacting James' future plans is his family. James called them a "big factor."

"I'll then also, you know, have a conversation with my 12-year-old daughter, you know, that's a big factor," James said. "And my 19-year-old son is entering his second year at Arizona, you know? And my wife as well, they're (a) huge factor in any decision I've made. So they'll be a big part of it as well."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James retirement decision: Did Lakers star play his final game?

Former NBA star Marreese Speightsannounced on social media that he has stepped down as the head boys basketball coach at St. Petersburg (FL) Northside Christian School.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Thank you, Northside Christian, for this opportunity. It was truly a blessing to lead the program over the last year and build so many meaningful relationships. I especially want to thank Brandon Elam for believing in me. You taught me a lot, and I learned so much from your guidance and support.

I hope I left the program better than I found it. As I head back to college, I leave with nothing but respect and appreciation for Northside Christian.

God’s timing—thank You, Northside. It was amazing! Next chapter loading… 5 out! @northsidehoops5pic.twitter.com/HPjtwAvLX4

— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) May 13, 2026

Speights captured an NBA title in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. He is one of only 47 players ever in history to have won both a national college championship and an NBA championship.

Over his 10-year NBA career, Speights appeared in 705 regular-season games, averaging 7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. In the NBA playoffs, he played in 60 games and averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest. Speights played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors, respectively.

Back in April, 2025 Speights was tabbed as the Mustangs’ head coach, marking his first high school head coaching job out of Pinellas County.

Northside Christian finished the 2025-26 season with a 19-12 record and as the state’s No. 96 ranked team, according to the final Florida High School Boys Basketball Massey Rankings.

How to Follow Florida High School Basketball

For Florida high school basketball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the hardwood action. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Florida high school basketball excitement across the state.

In theory, one of the biggest questions that could be surrounding the Lakers this offseason would be the impending free agency of their All-Star caliber guard. In many situations, a player of Austin Reaves’ caliber and age entering free agency would be a cause for concern as to whether he’d leave this summer.

But nothing about this situation has created cause for concern for the Lakers. Every step of the way, both sides have spoken of wanting to find a new deal. Even when Austin Reaves turned down his contract extension last summer, he spoke of how difficult it was and maintained that he wanted to remain in Los Angeles.

It looks like that sentiment has remained throughout the season as well. On Tuesday, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka spoke about Reaves during his exit interview and only added more belief that he would be returning.

“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said. “We feel the same way. We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. There’s rules and timing to all of that but I think both sides have made it abundantly clear where he continues his prolific career here.”

If you didn’t already have enough evidence to believe Austin is returning, there’s even one more piece that dropped on Tuesday as well. In a piece from Dan Woike of The Athletic, Luka Dončić reportedly let the Lakers know that he wants to play with Reaves moving forward, including advising the team to keep him out of Giannis Antetokounmpo negotiations at the deadline.

The good news is that the Lakers looked great when Austin and Luka were at their best. They were not just one of the highest scoring backcourts in the league, but one of the highest scoring duos.

Reaves is a huge success story for the Lakers’ front office and scouting department. If he does indeed re-sign with the Lakers this summer, it’ll be the second time he’s re-upped with the Lakers. He’s improved every step of the way in his career and the purple and gold are continuing to reap the rewards.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

On a day of terrible news around the NBA (our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke AND trailblazing center Jason Collins), there is a small bit of good news for Bucks fans. You may recall that, towards the end of the regular season, Giannis Antetokounmpo infamously called on the league to investigate the Bucks for violating the player participation policy, publicly accusing the Bucks of holding him out of games despite being healthy. The league obliged his request, and what followed was a series of contradicting reports from both sides, being aired to the media by both Giannis and via ESPN’s Shams Charania (who is also feuding with the Bucks).

Well, Charania relayed earlier this evening that the league completed its investigation and will not take any disciplinary action against Milwaukee for this part of Giannisgate, implicitly exonerating them. While Giannis said the team wouldn’t clear him medically, the Bucks countered that not only was their star not physically ready, but also wasn’t serious about playing. March 15th was when Giannis sustained a left knee hyperextension—the same knee he famously hyperextended in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals—and a bone bruise; he hasn’t seen an NBA court since. That came after other knee issues, a groin strain in November, and yet another calf strain in December.

Suffice it to say, the Bucks wanted to protect their asset, whether he remains a Buck or is traded, and they are reportedly again listening to offers. But if they are to be believed (and the league apparently does), Milwaukee was scheduled to have Giannis play three-on-three, and he declined. He also may have said no to a group workout session the first week of April. We may not know the full details anytime soon, if ever.

For now, we can chalk up a W for Milwaukee in a season where they had 50 Ls. In the eyes of the league, they were on the up-and-up, and their player may not have been. I can’t say I’m surprised: the NBA tends to side with its teams more than its players. After all, the commissioner is selected by 30 team owners. And to be honest, 29 other teams would do the same with a star who faced that many lower-body injuries in a lost season.

The difference is that Giannis, always the fierce competitor who wants to be on the floor, health be damned, piped up about it. Other stars didn’t when they were shut down this season or in previous seasons, with the possible exception of Joel Embiid. It’s anyone’s guess how this affects Giannis’ already-strained relationship with the team. He might dig his heels in further, maintaining the Bucks were in the wrong, or he might be contrite and recognize his part in this whole kerfuffle.

Whether or not the relationship can be repaired, though, remains to be seen. I’m not sure this would make Giannis more eager to sign an extension with Milwaukee. And it may not matter to ownership, who might have already made up their minds one way or the other. I doubt either side will go on record about this anytime soon, and they probably both want to move on. Whatever that looks like.

The basketball community has suffered another loss.

On May 12, it was announced that former Brooklyn Nets center and NBA Cares Ambassador Jason Collins passed away at the age of 47. Last September, Jason revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, a tumor of the brain. Following the announcement of his passing, tributes poured in across the basketball world.

“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,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.

“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”

The Brooklyn Nets shared a statement following Collins’ passing…

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jason Collins.

Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He was a constant in our locker… pic.twitter.com/mN9KUyJ8oK

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026

Collins’ NBA journey began with a bang. Though New Jersey Nets selected Eddie Griffin with the #7 overall pick in 2001, Rod Thorn knew the Rockets liked Griffin; the two teams soon worked out a trade to swap #7 for #13 (Richard Jefferson), #18 (Collins), and, #23 (Brandon Armstrong).

New Jersey made the NBA Finals in each of Collins’ first two seasons, as the California native brought interior defense and tough to matchups against Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan on basketball’s biggest stage. In the ‘03 run, Collins started all 20 of New Jersey’s playoff games.

He saw the whole arc of those 2000’s Nets teams, from championship hopefuls to the unceremonious end, spending his first six-and-a-half seasons there before a trade in early 2008 sent him to the Atlanta Hawks. Collins also played for the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.

Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.

May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026

But a snapshot of Collins’ Basketball Reference page will never tell half of his story. In April 2013, Jason publicly came out as a gay man. In a wonderful story he co-penned for Sports Illustrated, Collins explained why he decided to come out…

“No one wants to live in fear. I’ve always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don’t sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I’ve endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.“

In the middle of the following season, Collins signed a 10-day contract with the now-Brooklyn Nets, then another, then an end-of-season contract to close out his playing career. In doing so became the first active openly gay player in four major American men’s sports leagues…

I was at Barclays Center the night Jason Collins returned to the Nets following his Sports Illustrated interview. When his former teammate Jason Kidd called on him to enter the game the arena erupted and stood in a Brooklyn embrace. Made me so proud to be a Nets fan. RIP Twin.

— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) May 12, 2026

Following his retirement, Jason worked for NBA Cares and The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth under the age of 25. Throughout Jason’s life, he sought to help and advocate for others around the world and make the world a better and safer place.

“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” the Collins family said in a statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

I think back to this article by current Defector writer and New Jersey Nets fan David Roth, published in 2013…

But if his dignity is a big part of what makes Jason Collins so admirable at this moment, the way he has consistently found dignity in his very public labor is what makes it stick. Jason Collins has faced off with Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan and David Robinson in the NBA Finals and his generation’s other NBA giants in games significant and insignificant, and he has not outscored or outplayed them in any of those games. Collins went into those games knowing that he would not, could not do that. He might foul them in a timely or intelligent way, or piss them off, or set good enough screens and play good enough defense to mitigate at least to some extent the inescapable physical fact that his opponents were bigger and stronger and better at basketball than him. His ability to do those things, his willingness and knack for the NBA’s most rote and punishing work, has made him both professionally valuable and personally wealthy.

And if Collins’ bravery has made him an historically significant figure—and I’d argue that it has—it’s worth remembering that his humble heroism is of a piece with his reliable and consistently unheroic life in basketball. Jason Collins earned both respect and a living by doing work, by pushing and fighting and fighting even when it was more or less futile, because that was his job as he understood it and because it was the way he could do it best. He won what he won by finding ways to make his humble individual utmost a component part of a collective effort towards a common goal, and so both buried and multiplied his labor’s significance. He makes his living like that, by disappearing into his work and doing it, by doing invisible and important things that aren’t easily or adequately captured on either side of a basketball card. It makes sense that we wouldn’t have seen this coming, but it makes even more sense that, if Jason Collins were to make history, he’d do it just like this.

Glioblastoma is a tremendously awful, aggressive type of brain cancer; Collins was dealt an unimaginable hand of cards in his mid-40s, and yet, he died as he lived: Trying to pave the way for those behind him. As he told Ramona Shelburne this past December:

Currently I’m receiving treatment at a clinic in Singapore that offers targeted chemotherapy — using EDVs — a delivery mechanism that acts as a Trojan horse, seeking out proteins only found in glioblastomas to deliver its toxic payload past the blood-brain barrier and straight into my tumors.

The goal is to keep fighting the progress of the tumors long enough for a personalized immunotherapy to be made for me, and to keep me healthy enough to receive that immunotherapy once it’s ready.

Because my tumor is unresectable, going solely with the “standard of care” — radiation and TMZ — the average prognosis is only 11 to 14 months. If that’s all the time I have left, I’d rather spend it trying a course of treatment that might one day be a new standard of care for everyone.

I’m fortunate to be in a financial position to go wherever in the world I need to go to get treatment. So if what I’m doing doesn’t save me, I feel good thinking that it might help someone else who gets a diagnosis like this one day.

Jason Collins was 47 years old, fondly remembered by Nets fans for his play but a treasure and source of inspiration to so many more. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy live on.

Victor Wembanyama announced his return early Tuesday night.  

The San Antonio Spurs star, ejected in the second quarter of Game 4 after elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid, scored 18 points in the first quarter and finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks as the Spurs beat the Timberwolves, 126-97, in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

He muscled the Spurs to a 3-2 lead in the series with Game 6 Friday in Minneapolis.

He shot 56.3% from the field, was a plus-24 for the game and set the tone that he was making up for missing time early on Tuesday night.

The NBA declined to suspend Wembanyama for the flagrant foul on Sunday. He missed the final 33-plus minutes of Game 4, which was considered sufficient punishment.

With that reprieve, Wembanyama made clear he had no intention of lying low in Game 5 with the series tied 2-2.

He had nine of San Antonio’s first 17 points, capped by a driving slam that sent the Frost Bank Center crowd into a frenzy. He finished the first quarter on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, and added six rebounds. He became just the third player in the last 30 years to score 18 points and grab six rebounds in the first quarter of a playoff game, joining LeBron James and Nikola Jokic, according to Stathead.    

The Spurs then opened the second quarter on an 11-3 run to push the lead to 18.

The night had extra resonance after Wembanyama was ejected in the 114-109 loss Sunday. At the time he was ejected, the Spurs led 36-34. They were outscored 80-73 the rest of the way.

He kept himself in check Tuesday night in a tightly-called, physical game.

A game after Wembanyama was tossed for the flagrant foul in Minnesota, Rudy Gobert picked up a flagrant of his own in the first quarter for landing a foot under Wembanyama on a jumper. Wembanyama shook it off and kept going. Reid picked up a technical foul in the second quarter for a shove in Wembanyama's back after a boxout.

Victor Wembanyama stats tonight

• Points: 27
• FG: 9-for-16
• 3PT: 2-for-5
• FT: 7-for-9
• Rebounds: 17
• Assists: 5
• Steals: 0
• Blocks: 3
• Turnovers: 4
• Fouls: 1
• Minutes played: 33

Victor Wembanyama highlights

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victor Wembanyama stats, Timberwolves vs Spurs box score from Game 5

Just two days after the Philadelphia 76ers were swept out of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the franchise is looking for a new head of basketball operations.

The 76ers fired former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the 76ers announced Tuesday, May 12.

Morey spent six seasons with the franchise.

This comes after Philadelphia was overmatched in the second round of the NBA playoffs, losing its four games against the New York Knicks by an average of 22.3 points per game.

Coach Nick Nurse will remain in his role. Bob Myers, the former general manager of the Golden State Warriors who oversaw four NBA championship teams, will lead the search for Morey’s replacement and will oversee basketball operations for Philadelphia in the interim.

“The process will start immediately, and we will be thorough and deliberate in our evaluations,” Myers said Tuesday in a statement. “I believe this is a destination for top talent across the league and look forward to solidifying our infrastructure moving forward.”

Myers is the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE).

Here are some potential candidates to replace Morey as the president of basketball operations of the Philadelphia 76ers:

Elton Brand, 76ers general manager

Given that Myers will evaluate the incumbent staff on the 76ers, Brand, Philadelphia’s current general manager, should be the first person under consideration should Myers and the Sixers prefer an internal candidate.

Brand’s future in Philadelphia, however, may end up being tenuous. Often, when major changes are made atop the basketball ops department, a larger overhaul takes place. That could prompt the desire for new perspectives on the franchise, even though Brand was merely executing Morey’s vision. To that point, in the announcement the Sixers made, team owner Josh Harris cited the need for a “fresh start.”

Yet, if Myers and the Sixers conclude that some continuity would be beneficial, Brand, who played five seasons for the 76ers (2008-12; 2016) is the obvious choice.

Larry Harris, Warriors assistant general manager/director of player personnel

In theory, Myers’ ties to Golden State should instantly make their top front office execs potential targets for the Sixers search. Harris is the most seamless fit. He has been with the Warriors since 2008 and is one of the franchise’s top player evaluators and has a wealth of institutional knowledge about the culture the Warriors have established. Harris also spent 20 seasons with the Bucks and has filled just about every role in basketball operations.

Aside from that wealth of experience, his relationship with Myers could make him one of the top candidates. In fact, consider this quote from Myers on Harris from the time both worked together.

“If you look at our track record, he’s been involved in all of it,” Myers said of Harris in 2018, according to Bay Area News Group. “He’s been a great reason why we’ve had some success. He’s been a huge part of it. For me, I know without him, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

Jesse Gould, Thunder vice president of basketball operations

If Myers and the 76ers want to tap into the success Oklahoma City has had, Gould could be an appealing option. He has spent 16 seasons with the Thunder and has served a variety of roles, including a director of pro evaluation role in which he oversaw the roster construction and management of the Thunder’s G League affiliate squad. Gould is also a Philadelphia native.

Should the Sixers favor someone with more general manager experience, the Thunder also have another VP of basketball ops in Rob Hennigan, who was the GM of the Magic for five seasons before he joined Oklahoma City in 2017. Hennigan has also spent time with the Spurs and was a part of their 2005 and 2007 championship teams.

Mike Zarren, Celtics vice president of basketball operations and team counsel

This is a case where it might be difficult to pry him away from Boston, where has been with the team for 21 seasons. Not only that, but Zarren grew up a Celtics fan and was a long-time season ticket holder. Yet, Zarren was actually a candidate for the 76ers general manager job in 2013 that went to Sam Hinkie, he of “trust the process” fame. Zarren is a key figure in talent evaluation and strategy for Boston under Brad Stevens, so he’s widely respected around the league.

Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

Could Sixers owner Josh Harris convince Myers to simply take the job? Since his departure from Golden State, Myers has long been one of the most desirable candidates for teams looking to fill a president of basketball operations role. He has the track record of building champions and managing large personalities.

With big questions facing Philadelphia concerning the contracts of Joel Embiid and Paul George, Myers would certainly be well equipped to guide the Sixers forward. The question is whether Myers, who has also worked as an ESPN analyst after his Warriors days, wants the full-time gig. But, given that Harris currently employs him as the president of HBSE, and given that Myers will serve as the acting president of basketball operations, the two sides are practically there.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daryl Morey fired by 76ers: Top candidates to replace him as team president

CHICAGO — A.J. Dybantsa loaded up for another jumping attempt, and Cameron Boozer glanced over for a brief moment to watch as one of the players he's competing with to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft soared more than 42 inches into the air. Boozer flashed a quick grin at the result, then got ready at the starting line for a shuttle run.

The best prospects in the highly-anticipated 2026 NBA draft class were on the same court together on Tuesday, May 12, running, jumping and shooting together in front of the biggest league decision-makers during the annual NBA Scouting Combine taking place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago this week.

Though the film from actual games will do the heavy lifting for NBA teams evaluating players ahead of the draft on June 23-24, measurements, medical exams and agility drills conducted as part of the combine help differentiate similar prospects. Some players see their stock soar from a strong showing in Chicago. For others, the combine will be a humbling experience that leads to a return to school. The decision trees are more complicated now in the NIL era of college basketball.

Here's a breakdown of some winners and losers from the first two days of the NBA Scouting Combine, when the nearly 120 prospects in attendance went through anthrometric measurements, agility testing and shooting drills:

NBA DRAFT COMBINE: Ranking the top players in scrimmages this week

Winners

Note: All times and agility drill testing figures are unofficial, according to the NBA.

A.J. Dybantsa, BYU

Well, sort of. Compared to the projected top-three prospects in this draft class – Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Duke's Cameron Boozer – Dybantsa did the best, particularly when it came to athletic testing. His 42-inch max vertical jump and 33.5-inch no step vertical jump were among the best at the combine and cemented his status as something of a physical freak after measuring taller than 6-foot-8 without shoes. He also made 23 of 30 off-dribble 3-pointers, better than Peterson and Boozer.

But the difference between the three remains slim based on Tuesday's testing results. Boozer, for instance, also measured well at more than 6-foot-8 without shoes and a 9-foot wingspan. He also shot the best of the three by hitting 59% of his 3-pointers overall during shooting drills. Peterson did the best in the shuttle run (2.95 seconds) and shot 58.8% on his 3-pointers overall.

Aday Mara and Morez Johnson, Michigan

Though Mara and Johnson can still technically return to Michigan, their measurables and agility testing might cement their decision to stay in the draft.

Mara checked in at 7-foot-3 without shoes and had a 9-foot-9 standing reach when tested by NBA Scouting Combine officials. That's tied for the second-longest standing reach in combine history, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. Combined with his encouraging performance during Michigan's national championship run, Mara has likely worked his way into the lottery.

Johnson checked in at 6-foot-9 without shoes and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which compare favorably with NBA power forwards. He then performed well during agility testing on Monday at Wintrust Arena, logging the best pro lane drill time among big men in attendance.

Brayden Burries, Arizona

Burries might have locked himself in as a top-10 pick after checking in at nearly 6-foot-4 without shoes, while weighing a sturdy 215 pounds. He then stood out during agility and shooting drills on Tuesday, hitting nearly 61% of his 3-pointers, while ranking among the best at the combine in the pro lane drill and no step vertical jump testing (35-inch). His combination of shooting and athleticism will be hard for lottery teams to pass up.

Kingston Flemings, Houston

One of the elite point guards in this class had one of the smallest wing spans in the class during measurements but did a nice job making NBA folks forget that with a great performance in testing on Tuesday. At one point, he ranked among the top five prospects in nearly every agility drill at the combine and helped his cause more by shooting the ball well.

Losers

Koa Peat, Arizona

Peat's outside shooting issues have contributed to questions about his draft stock, and he did nothing to ease those concerns in Chicago. He shot just 36.2% in all 3-point shooting drills, measured at just 6-foot-7 without shoes and also had a slow shuttle run. On the bright side, he did have an impressive 38.5-inch no step vertical jump. This nonetheless could push Peat to improve his stock and go back to Arizona, where it might be more lucrative than what he would make as a late first-round draft pick.

Amari Allen, Alabama

Allen had impressive numbers in athletic and agility testing, including a max vertical jump of 42.5 inches. But the potential first-round pick makes this list because he measured at just over 6-foot-5 without shoes, well below his listed height of 6-8 with the Crimson Tide this past season. That could affect his stock.

Allen Graves, Santa Clara

Graves was an unheralded recruit who broke out as a potential first-round pick during his redshirt freshman season at Santa Clara this past year, but he had a poor showing in testing on Tuesday. He finished outside the top 50 in every agility drill and didn't do well in 3-point shooting drills. Graves would be one of the most coveted players in college basketball's transfer portal if he returns to school.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA draft winners, losers from scouting combine drills, measurements

Jason Collings, the NBA’s first openly gay player, died May 12 after an eight-month battle with stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47.  

Collins made history in April 2013 when he came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated essay, becoming the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues. The 13-year NBA veteran played for six franchises and later became an NBA Cares Ambassador.  

Survived by his husband, Brunson Green, his parents, his twin brother Jarron, tributes to Collins poured in from basketball and beyond.  

That included the Human Rights Campaign.

"To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today," said HRC president Kelley Robinson. "He came out as gay -- while still playing -- at a time when men's athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his pot-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed th conversation. He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47. Out hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was among the first to pay tribute, praising Collins for his impact both on and off the court.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of NBA Cares Ambassador and former NBA player Jason Collins:

“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community… pic.twitter.com/7mygdEsDCs

— NBA (@NBA) May 12, 2026

Collins was drafted 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, but immediate traded to the Nets, who remembered him on May 12.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jason Collins.

Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He was a constant in our locker… pic.twitter.com/mN9KUyJ8oK

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026

Jason Kidd was teammates and then coached Collins.

This one hurts. Jason Collins was a pioneer. He had courage like you've never seen. He was an incredible teammate. And having him in Brooklyn at the start of my coaching journey meant so much. Those who knew him were blessed to call him a friend. You are already missed my… pic.twitter.com/gG2jWoGRIF

— Jason Kidd (@RealJasonKidd) May 12, 2026

Collins played just part of the 2012-13 season with the Boston Celtics, but they were the first team to pay tribute to him.

Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.

May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026

Collins played college basketball at Stanford, earning third-team All-American honors in 2001, and finished his career ranked first in school history in field goal percentage and third in blocked shots.

The Stanford Basketball community mourns the loss of Jason Collins.

Our love and support are with his husband, Brunson, brother, Jarron, and all of his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/GX2Ogdcjpc

— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) May 12, 2026

ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, who had known Collins since high school, was the reporter he trusted to help tell his story when he went public with his cancer diagnosis in December.

No one could have fought this cancer with more grace and courage than my friend, Jason Collins. Devastated for him, his family and this world to lose such a bright light. But what a legacy he’s left us. https://t.co/3Hg5MOU82G

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 12, 2026

Billie Jean King, who had texted Collins when he made history in 2014, joined him as a fellow honoree of the LBGTQ Sports Hall of Fame's Glenn Burke Award.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, a founding advisory board member for the @BJK_Foundation, and our dear friend.

Jason changed lives through his courage, authenticity, and commitment to helping others feel seen.… pic.twitter.com/fXZrusQPPz

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 12, 2026

Collins played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2009-12.

Jason Collins’ impact on the Atlanta Hawks organization reached far beyond basketball. During his time in Atlanta, he was a consummate professional, leader and winner. As a teammate, he earned respect through his humility, quiet strength and integrity. His courage and… pic.twitter.com/WgDySl1Qhy

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) May 13, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Collins tributes: NBA world reacts to death of trailblazer

Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, has died after a battle with brain cancer, his family and the NBA announced Tuesday. He was 47 years old.

Collins was drafted with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, and played in 13 seasons with the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics, and Wizards.

Collins' bravery in coming out in the middle of his career made him one of the most influential players in the league. He was largely praised for the decision and helped move the league in a more progressive direction.

Jason Collins cause of death

Collins died after a battle with brain cancer.

In December 2025, Collins revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, and that the cancer had "spread rapidly."

Collins also said that the average prognosis for his treatment was around 11-14 months, but he did not shy away from his potential lack of time left on Earth.

"If that's all the time I have left," he said, "I'd rather spend it trying a course of treatment that might one day be a new standard of care for everyone."

Social media reacts to Jason Collins' death

Many of Collins' former teams took to social media to offer their condolences after hearing word of Collins' passing.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jason Collins.

Jason spent eight seasons in a Nets uniform, helping define an era of our franchise and playing a vital role on our back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams in 2002 and 2003. He was a constant in our locker… pic.twitter.com/mN9KUyJ8oK

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 13, 2026

Jason Collins was a beloved member of the Celtics family. He was a pioneer in the NBA and professional sports, and we are grateful to have felt his impact in Boston.

May he rest in peace 💚 pic.twitter.com/AG3Uh04Zxj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 12, 2026

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Wizard Jason Collins following his battle with glioblastoma, and are sending our condolences to his family & loved ones. pic.twitter.com/9pWNLxIapw

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 12, 2026

The Stanford Basketball community mourns the loss of Jason Collins.

Our love and support are with his husband, Brunson, brother, Jarron, and all of his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/GX2Ogdcjpc

— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) May 12, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How did Jason Collins die? Details about death of former NBA player