Jason Collins Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Jason Collins — a name etched in sports history not only for his 13-year NBA career but for courage, identity, and legacy beyond the court.

A Towering Talent With Roots in California

Born on December 2, 1978, in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jason Paul Collins grew up alongside his twin brother, Jarron Collins, who would also go on to play in the NBA.

Standing at seven feet tall and carrying 255 pounds on a sturdy frame, Jason’s physical presence made him a natural center. He honed his skills at Harvard-Westlake High School, then at Stanford University — where by his senior year, he earned first-team All–Pac-10 honours and a spot as a third-team All-American. 

That acclaim carried him into the 2001 NBA Draft, where he was selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets — though he’d spend the bulk of his early career with the New Jersey Nets (later the Brooklyn Nets).

A Steady Professional — From Defensive Role-Player to Journeyman

Over 13 seasons, Collins played for seven different NBA franchises: New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards. 

Statistically, his career averages — roughly 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game — might not jump off the page. But for teams in need of a reliable, physical big man who could defend the paint, colliders with elite strength, and set screens — Jason Collins became a valued role-player. Some analysts emphasize that his defensive impact and so-called “intangibles” were often underappreciated in traditional box-score stats. 

Collins’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Injuries limited playing time early in his college career. Later in the NBA, he moved frequently between teams, yet his persistence — and willingness to play a team role — kept him in the league through 2014. On November 19, 2014, he officially announced his retirement, closing the chapter on a 13-year pro run.

When Sports Met Social Change: Coming Out and Breaking Barriers

In a deeply personal essay published in 2013, Collins revealed that he was gay — making him the first active male athlete in any of the four major North American professional sports leagues to do so publicly. 

He didn’t just come out; he elevated the conversation. Wearing jersey number 98, he honoured the memory of Matthew Shepard — a young gay man whose tragic 1998 death became a touchstone in the fight against anti-LGBTQ violence. That number and Collins’s transparency helped redefine visibility and acceptance within pro sports.

In 2014, Collins returned to action with the Brooklyn Nets — officially becoming the first openly gay player to appear in a game in any of the four major U.S. team sports. That appearance resonated far beyond the hardwood, symbolizing a shift in what could be possible for LGBTQ athletes.

Many media outlets — historians, fans, and fellow athletes — regard that moment as a watershed in sport sociology, humanizing LGBTQ identities in a world often defined by machismo and tradition.

Personal Life: Love, Identity, and New Beginnings

Before publicly embracing his sexuality, Collins was once engaged to Carolyn Moos, a former WNBA player. Their relationship — and eventual breakup — has been part of the narrative of his personal evolution. 

After coming out, Collins began a relationship with producer Brunson Green — famed for his work on the Oscar-nominated film The Help. The couple reportedly started dating in 2014, and in 2025, they married in an intimate ceremony in Austin, Texas. 

Their union has been celebrated by friends, fans, and members of both the sports and entertainment communities — a visible testament to personal authenticity and love beyond the public spotlight.

Net Worth and Legacy: More Than Figures

According to recent estimates, Jason Collins’s net worth stands at around US$16 million — reflecting his NBA contracts over 13 seasons, along with endorsement deals and post-career engagements.

Yet the true measure of his legacy can’t be captured by dollars alone. He helped transform the cultural landscape of professional sports, creating space for conversations about identity, representation, and acceptance. As one commentator noted, his story was “a great opportunity for a league that has made billions by helping fans connect with the stories of its marquee players.” 

Today, Collins remains a symbol of courage, authenticity, and resilience — carving a path for others to follow.