Carolyn Moos-Hardin, the former fiancée of late NBA trailblazer Jason Collins, has spoken out after his death from brain cancer this week.
“How precious life is and how precious health is — I wish for longevity for all. I pray for peace and may the ways we leave a positive impact on people’s lives be eternal,” Moos-Hardin, 47, said in an exclusive statement to Us Weekly. “My condolences to Jason’s family and those closest to him. Embrace the present, give with our presence and realize time is our biggest gift.”
After meeting as student-athletes at Stanford, Collins and Moos-Hardin dated for eight years and eventually became engaged.
Collins came out publicly in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story, making him the first openly gay player in NBA history.
His death was announced by his family on Tuesday, May 12, five months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma. He was 47 years old.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” the family’s statement said. “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.”
At the time of his death, Collins was married to his husband, Brunson Green, who he started dating shortly after coming out. The couple got married in May 2025.
Moos-Hardin and her husband got married in May 2025 and welcomed their daughter, Chaysa, in December 2025.
Collins’ death brought an overwhelming response from the NBA community, including league commissioner Adam Silver.
“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,” Silver, 64, said in a statement. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.”
Silver added, “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 Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
NBA legend Charles Barkley boasted about Collins’ legacy and impact on Wednesday,, May 13, during ESPN’s Inside the NBA.
“When he came out, man, I thought it was amazing to put himself under the microscope and the scrutiny and the hatred and the vitriol that was going to happen,” Barkley, 63 said. “But man, I hate the way this story ended. Because he was a shining example [of], ‘Do you, man.’ Obviously anybody out there who is struggling with their sexuality, do you. Gay people have the right to do what they want to do. It’s nobody else’s business at all.”
He added, “For him to come out, it was great. Obviously, a lot of times, especially in the Black community, when you’re gay, you get treated awful. And that sucks, too. But I was proud of him for coming out. When I got that news yesterday, it just sucked.”
