After signing a 10-day contract, Jason Collins suited up for the Brooklyn Nets in LA Sunday night, getting a warm reception from players and fans. Collins made history by becoming the first openly gay player in major pro sports. Per the AP:
“Right now I’m focusing on trying to learn the plays, learning the coverages and the game plan and the assignments. So I didn’t have time to really think about history,” Collins said at a crowded press conference less than an hour before his Brooklyn Nets faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier Sunday and played 10 scoreless minutes with two rebounds and five fouls in the Nets’ 108-102 victory.
“I know that I can play in the NBA and it felt good to be out there tonight,” he said afterward.
“The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision,” general manager Billy King said in a statement. “We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract.”
