Former NBA centre Jason Collins, known for breaking barriers as the league’s first openly gay player, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and is currently undergoing treatment.

 No additional details about his condition have been released.

The 46-year-old Collins was selected 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft and spent the early part of his career with the then New Jersey Nets, helping lead the team to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.

Over 13 seasons, he played for several teams, including the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics, and Wizards. He returned to the Nets after their move to Brooklyn before retiring in 2014.

In 2013, Collins made history by coming out as gay while still an active player. He wore jersey No. 98 with the Brooklyn Nets as a tribute to Matthew Shepard, a young man whose 1998 murder became a symbol of anti-LGBTQ+ violence and advocacy for equality.