Former Brooklyn and New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins has died at 47 years old after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma . "We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," his family said in a statement released by the NBA . "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. 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." Collins was selected No. 18 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA Draft shortly before being traded to the Nets alongside Richard Jefferson and Brandon Armstrong in exchange for the rights to the No. 7 pick, which was Eddie Griffin.…