“I would love to see an athlete live their life in an authentic way, not feel that they have to hide, not feel that they have to be afraid, or live with shame - all the other things that go with being a closeted athlete. No human being should have to walk that path. But there is that fear of stepping forward.”

American professional basketball player

Jason Paul Collins is an American former professional basketball player, known for his 13 seasons as an NBA center. He played college basketball at Stanford and was named a third-team All-American in 2001. Selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA draft, Collins went on to play for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets. His career was built around the center position, with Stanford and the NBA marking the main stages of his playing years.