India, May 13 -- Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, has died at the age of 47. According to ESPN, Collins died peacefully at his home surrounded by family members after the cancer returned in recent weeks.

His family confirmed the news Tuesday in a statement released through the NBA.

Collins passed away after battling stage 4 glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Collins' family said the former NBA center died following a "valiant fight with glioblastoma," one of the deadliest forms of the cancer.

The former player publicly revealed his diagnosis in November during an interview with ESPN, explaining that doctors had diagnosed him with stage 4 glioblastoma and initially warned he could have as l...