The NBA community is mourning a true pioneer today after news broke that Jason Collins passed away on Tuesday at the age of 47. He had been privately battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer, but his legacy is one that will be talked about as long as the game is played.

Most of us remember exactly where we were 13 years ago when he changed the game with just three words: "I'm Black. And I'm gay." By writing that essay for Sports Illustrated, he became the first active male athlete in any of the four major American sports to come out. It was a massive moment because, at 34, he was still looking to play. He wasn’t retired or looking for a way out; he was a free agent who wanted to be his authentic self while still competing at the highest level.

Before that announcement, Collins was already known around the league as a real "pro's pro." He was a 7-foot center who did the dirty work, set hard screens, and played physical defense. He spent eight of his 13 seasons with the Nets, where he was a huge part of those back-to-back Finals runs in the early 2000s. Whether he was in Memphis, Minnesota, or Boston, teammates always respected him.

What was so cool about his story is that he didn't even want to be the first. He mentioned in his writing that he wished someone else had already raised their hand, so he didn't have to be the "different" kid in the class. But because nobody else had, he stepped up to start that conversation for everyone coming after him.

Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement saying his impact went far beyond his stats. He talked about how he helped make the NBA and WNBA a much more welcoming place for the next generation. Even after he stopped playing in 2014, he stayed close to the game as an ambassador, always pushing for inclusion.

It's a tough loss for his twin brother, Jarron, and the entire basketball family. He was a guy who stayed solid on and off the court, and he’ll be remembered for his courage just as much as his defense.