Jason Collins, the NBAs first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced Tuesday.Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay, an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career.Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. He was 47.Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," Collins' family said in a statement released through the NBA. "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.Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him.I told my brother this before I came here: Hes the bravest, strongest man Ive ever known, Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.Jason Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career. He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05.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. 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 Jasons husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.Jason Collins revealed his sexuality in a first-person account for Sports Illustrated in April 2013. He was a free agent at the time, said he wanted to keep playing, and went on to play in 22 games with Brooklyn the following season.If I had my way, someone else would have already done this, he wrote at that time. Nobody has, which is why Im raising my hand.His decision was widely lauded, with star players such as Kobe Bryant quickly speaking out in support of Collins. There was even support from the White House and then-former President Bill Clinton whose daughter, Chelsea, went to Stanford with Collins. At Stanford, Collins was roommates with someone who was part of another American political dynasty, that being Joe Kennedy III, who spent eight years in Congress representing Massachusetts.Collins, in the piece for Sports Illustrated, wrote that he realized he needed to go public about his sexuality when Kennedy walked in Bostons gay pride parade in 2012 but Collins couldnt do the same.Until then, Collins kept his feelings about gay rights close to the vest. He wore jersey No. 98 for the majority of his final three playing stints with Boston, Washington and Brooklyn a nod to the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed. He also wore 46 in one game for the Nets, since it was the only jersey the team had available when he signed.Collins made nearly 61% of his shots in his career at Stanford, which remains a school record. He was an honorable mention selection for The Associated Press' All-America team in 2001, a few months before the Houston Rockets took him with the 18th pick in that year's NBA draft.Its a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the programs greats," former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. Its hard to separate Jarron and Jason because they thought so alike, but even though he was an identical twin, Jason was unique in his own way. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Jason Collins, the NBAs first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumor, his family announced Tuesday.Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay, an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career.Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. He was 47.Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," Collins' family said in a statement released through the NBA. "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.Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him.I told my brother this before I came here: Hes the bravest, strongest man Ive ever known, Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.Jason Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career. He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05.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. 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 Jasons husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.Jason Collins revealed his sexuality in a first-person account for Sports Illustrated in April 2013. He was a free agent at the time, said he wanted to keep playing, and went on to play in 22 games with Brooklyn the following season.If I had my way, someone else would have already done this, he wrote at that time. Nobody has, which is why Im raising my hand.His decision was widely lauded, with star players such as Kobe Bryant quickly speaking out in support of Collins. There was even support from the White House and then-former President Bill Clinton whose daughter, Chelsea, went to Stanford with Collins. At Stanford, Collins was roommates with someone who was part of another American political dynasty, that being Joe Kennedy III, who spent eight years in Congress representing Massachusetts.Collins, in the piece for Sports Illustrated, wrote that he realized he needed to go public about his sexuality when Kennedy walked in Bostons gay pride parade in 2012 but Collins couldnt do the same.Until then, Collins kept his feelings about gay rights close to the vest. He wore jersey No. 98 for the majority of his final three playing stints with Boston, Washington and Brooklyn a nod to the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed. He also wore 46 in one game for the Nets, since it was the only jersey the team had available when he signed.Collins made nearly 61% of his shots in his career at Stanford, which remains a school record. He was an honorable mention selection for The Associated Press' All-America team in 2001, a few months before the Houston Rockets took him with the 18th pick in that year's NBA draft.Its a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the programs greats," former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. Its hard to separate Jarron and Jason because they thought so alike, but even though he was an identical twin, Jason was unique in his own way. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Former League of Ireland champions Cork City have left X over an "increase in discriminatory and abusive language".The Irish side, which boasts over 50,000 followers on the social media platform, shared that it is still posting on other sites but will no longer be using Elon Musk's X.In a statement, the side said: "Cork City FC is proud to be an inclusive place, that welcomes everyone no matter who they are."And it always will be. Over the last while, like many others, we have noticed a significant increase in discriminatory and abusive language on X."TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayCork City continued: "While differing opinions should and will always be heard, they cross the line when they are intolerant and downright offensive. "We have a duty of care to our players, our staff, our supporters and the wider community, and it is a responsibility that we do not take lightly."As a result of this, we have decided that X is no longer for us."Instead, please give us a follow on our other social media platforms - We remain active on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads, as well as our official WhatsApp channel."LATEST SPORTS NEWSAntonin Kinsky produces stunning save but Tottenham denied penalty in dramatic Leeds drawGerwyn Price sparks Darts World Cup confusion with social media health updateLewis Hamilton told to 'consider retirement' amid Ferrari woesThe Irish side joins other prominent teams in Europe to quit the social media platform.German team FC St Pauli in November 2024, became the first major club to leave, calling the site a "hate machine".Werder Bremen followed shortly after St Pauli, noting an "incredible" increase in hate speech and radicalisation. Werder added that the platform had been turned into a "political weapon".The German side previously said: "SV Werder Bremen's executive board have decided to end the club's presence on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter)."Under the guise of freedom of expression, hate speech, hatred towards minorities, right-wing extremist posts and conspiracy theories have been allowed to spread on X at an incredible pace."With the recent radicalisation of the platform, a line has been crossed for the club. "The Green-Whites are therefore leaving X effective immediately and hope that our more than 600,000 followers will follow the club on Bluesky in the future."Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, redesigning the brand as X after laying off roughly 80 per cent of its staff.The iconic bluebird became X in July 2023, with the introduction of AI coming into the frame over the last couple of years.Since the Tesla owner's takeover, several prominent figures, sports teams and brands have ditched the platform, with many moving over to its rival, Bluesky.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The tablet - orforglipron - is available in the US and could soon launch in the UK.

The tablet - orforglipron - is available in the US and could soon launch in the UK.

Sollte 96 im irren Aufstiegsfinale der Zweiten Bundesliga gegen Nrnberg gewinnen, ist mindestens die Relegation sicher. [mehr]

SPRINGDALE, AR - Rudy Martin Jr.'s grand slam led the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (19-14) to a 9-4 win over the Arkansas Travelers (19-15) on Tuesday ... - TL Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Lors d'une confrence de presse o il n'a pas voulu voquer la situation sportive du Real Madrid, ce mardi, le prsident Florentino Perez a tout de mme ragi l'affaire Tchouamni-Valverde. Il a relativis l'incident et expliqu que son inquitude portait surtout sur les fuites qui ont men cette histoire sortir du vestiaire.

Queensland great Sam Thaiday explains why he can't pick Sam Walker as his Maroons halfback in State of Origin.