Jason Collins’s brother Jarron excels in the NBA and now shapes the next generation of players.
Jason Paul Collins, born on December 2, 1978, in Northridge, California, enjoyed a distinguished 13-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He played as a center for multiple teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets.
Collins made a mark early on, starring at Stanford University alongside his twin brother, Jarron, and earning All-American honors in the 2000–01 season.
Drafted 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2001, he quickly became a key player for the Nets, helping them reach consecutive NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
Throughout his career, Collins was recognized not for flashy statistics but for his defensive intelligence, physical presence, and leadership on the court.
After the 2012–13 season, he made headlines by coming out as gay, becoming the first active male athlete in any major North American professional team sport to do so.
He briefly returned to play for the Brooklyn Nets in 2014, inspiring millions and using his platform to promote LGBTQ acceptance.
Collins retired later that year, leaving behind a legacy of courage, professionalism, and advocacy both on and off the court.
Jason Collins’s Brother Jarron Transitions from NBA Player to Championship-Winning Coach
Jarron Thomas Collins, Jason’s twin brother, also carved out a notable career in basketball.
Born just eight minutes after Jason in Northridge, California, Jarron excelled at Harvard-Westlake School, averaging 13.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in his senior year.
Like Jason, he continued his basketball journey at Stanford University, earning two All-American honors and ranking among the university’s top ten in rebounds, blocked shots, field-goal percentage, and games played.
Jarron was selected in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz and spent eight seasons with the team.
He later played for the Phoenix Suns and had short stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers before retiring in 2011.
After his playing career, Jarron transitioned to coaching and player development.
He joined the Golden State Warriors’ staff in 2014, contributing to three NBA championships between 2015 and 2018.
In 2021, he became an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, continuing to make an impact in the NBA.
Jarron’s career reflects dedication, skill, and a commitment to nurturing talent, complementing the trail Jason blazed both on and off the court.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jason Collins wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a hate crime victim, during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
- He was engaged to former WNBA center Carolyn Moos, but called off the wedding in 2009.
- Jason Collins was featured on the cover of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2014.
