Remembering Jason Collier, 21 years later

Oct 14, 2026

Oct. 15, 2005

Hawks center Jason Collier died suddenly in Cumming, Georgia, a week before camp. He was 28.

An enlarged heart

An autopsy found a heart rhythm disturbance caused by an abnormally enlarged heart.

Ohio Mr. Basketball

Collier led Springfield Catholic Central to the 1996 state title and was a McDonald's All-American.

The long way back

After three seasons in Houston, he went to the D-League's Fayetteville Patriots and made All-NBDL First Team.

A breakout in Atlanta

Signed to a 10-day deal in March 2004, he scored 22 on 7-of-8 shooting against Washington.

Photo credit

The Atlanta Hawks' downtown arena, home of the team during Jason Collier's two seasons in Atlanta. Photo: Priscilla via Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Resized.

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