Jason Collins' Sister-in-Law Gives Insight Into His Heartbreaking Final Months

The sister-in-law of late NBA trailblazer Jason Collins shared insight into his final months before his death from brain cancer.

"Obviously it's been a tough day, a tough year," Elsa Collins, who is married to Jason's twin brother, Jarron Collins, said in a video posted to her Instagram Story on Tuesday, May 12.

Earlier that day, it was announced by the family that Jason, the first openly gay player in NBA history, had died after being diagnosed with Stage IV glioblastoma in November 2025. He was 47 years old.

After Jason's diagnosis, Elsa said the family had "a pre-Thanksgiving dinner" because Jason would be in Singapore for treatment over the holiday.

Elsa said Jason was on antibody medication Avastin at the time, which inhibits tumor growth and made him "more present."

"We got the opportunity to tell him what he meant to us," Elsa explained. "So I know that he knows what he meant to us."

She added, " I guess this is my way of saying let people know how you feel."

In another Story, Elsa shared a video of the sentimental speech she gave Jason at the family's gathering on November 18, 2025.

"I'm so grateful that we're here," she told him. "I'm so grateful that we could do this before you are going to Singapore. You know I love you like a brother. I think back, for as many years as I've been with Jarron, that's all the years that you've been in my life as well."

Elsa complimented Jason on his job mentoring the three children she shares with Jarron: Alessandra, Valentina and Massimo.

"I'm so grateful that you've been in their lives, you are in their life and that you're going to continue to be in their life," she said. "I can't imagine them turning out as amazing as they have - and I know it's because of everybody here playing their own individual role - and I know your role as the amazing Tio Jason cannot be described to a level that it really means. I hope you do know that."

The Collins family announced Jason's death in a statement on Tuesday.

"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," the statement read. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. 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

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 2:28 PM.