Carolyn Moos-Hardin, the previous fiancée of late NBA trailblazer Jason Collins, has spoken out after his death from brain cancer this week.
“How precious life is and the way precious health is — I wish for longevity for all. I pray for peace and will the ways we leave a positive impact on people’s lives be everlasting,” Moos-Hardin, 47, said in an exclusive statement to Us Weekly. “My condolences to Jason’s family and people closest to him. Embrace the current, 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 got here out publicly in a 2013 Sports Illustrated cover story, making him the primary 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 modified lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those that admired him from afar,” the family’s statement said. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of affection 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.”
On the time of his death, Collins was married to his husband, Brunson Green, who he began 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 awesome response from the NBA community, including league commissioner Adam Silver.
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence prolonged far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and bigger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver, 64, said in a press release. He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA profession and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador.”
Silver added, “Jason will likely be remembered not just for breaking barriers, but in addition 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 Contained in the NBA.
“When he got here out, man, I assumed it was amazing to place himself under the microscope and the scrutiny and the hatred and the vitriol that was going to occur,” Barkley, 63 said. “But man, I hate the best way this story ended. Because he was a shining example [of], ‘Do you, man.’ Obviously anybody on the market who’s combating their sexuality, do you. Gay people have the proper to do what they wish to do. It’s no one else’s business in any respect.”
He added, “For him to return out, it was great. Obviously, numerous times, especially within the Black community, while you’re gay, you get treated awful. And that sucks, too. But I used to be pleased with him for coming out. Once I got that news yesterday, it just sucked.”