Jason Collins Becomes NBA's First Openly Gay Player, Signs With Nets

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NBA basketball player Jason Collins, pictured at the 9th Annual Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network Respect Awards at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, has signed with the Brooklyn Nets. The move makes him the first active openly gay player in the NBA's history.

Image: Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

By Jason Abbruzzese2014-02-23 22:45:13 UTC

Jason Collins has become the NBA's first openly gay player on an active roster, after signing a contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

Collins signed a 10-day deal with the Nets on Sunday, and will be available to play Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran center had not been in the league since a six-game stint with the Washington Wizards in 2013. Collins is also the first active openly gay player in any of the four major U.S. sports (i.e. baseball, basketball, football and hockey).

See also: Obama 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins

Collins came out last May during an interview with Sports Illustrated . He was a free agent at the time, and was not signed until Brooklyn picked him up.

Image: Sports Illustrated

The signing comes just weeks after Michael Sam, a college-football player that will enter the upcoming NFL draft, came out. If he is drafted and signed, Sam would be the first gay NFL player.

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Topics: Entertainment, gay pride, NBA, Sports