NBA

NBA’s 1st openly gay player takes the court

LOS ANGELES — Jason Collins made history Sunday, signing a 10-day contract with the Nets and becoming the first openly gay player in any of the four major American professional sports.

But if you listened to Collins and the Nets, this was strictly about a 35-year-old veteran trying to stick in the league one more time.

“Right now I’m focused on trying to learn the plays, learn the game plan, assignments,” Collins said before the Nets’ 108-102 victory over the Lakers at Staples Center. “I don’t have time to really think about history right now.”

Of course, history was all anyone else was thinking about after the Nets chose to sign Collins to fill their need for a big man after Glen “Big Baby” Davis agreed to sign with the Clippers when he clears waivers Monday, after being bought out by the Magic Friday.

Once Davis informed the Nets of his decision Sunday morning, they moved quickly to sign Collins in order to have him in uniform in time for Sunday night’s game, marking another step forward in sports after former Missouri star Michael Sam came out two weeks ago ahead of the NFL Combine this past week, and one that wasn’t lost on Paul Pierce.

“In the society we live in … this was going to happen eventually,” Pierce said. “I mean, this is the [norm]. He is a guy that’s going to be able to open up the door for athletes, not only in America but maybe around the world to feel welcome in the sports world. That’s going to be key.

“It doesn’t matter your race, your gender, your sexuality or any of that. It’s about being part of a team, it’s about caring for one another, and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. Every guy in here goes their own way, does their own things, and so be it.

“But when we come in the locker room … this is sports and everything is magnified. It’s great to have him here, and to just be able to open up the doors for so many athletes, that they can feel comfortable to come out and not feel embarrassed to be a part of something.”

While Collins tried to make it about basketball, he understood the moment was a lot bigger than the usual veteran 10-day contract, after he publicly came out in an article in Sports Illustrated last spring, then spent the last 10 months working out in the hopes of this day finally arriving.

“Life is so much better for me,” Collins said of how his life has changed after deciding to come out. “I don’t have to hide who I am. I can just be my normal self.

“The past 10 months have been incredible … a lot of really cool experiences, meeting new friends, hearing different people’s stories, sharing experiences. It was just really overall positive.”

Collins entered the game for the first time with 10:28 remaining in the second quarter, receiving a polite round of applause from the crowd, and immediately set a bone-crushing screen on Lakers guard Jordan Farmar. Collins finished with two rebounds and five fouls in a little over 10 minutes, providing a physical presence inside.

“I know I’m capable of playing in the NBA,” Collins said. “I think I showed that [Sunday].”

Since the news broke Thursday that the Nets were a potential landing spot for Collins, every player on the team has supported the idea, lauding Collins — now in his 13th season — for his professionalism and work ethic, and saying the NBA was ready for this to happen.

“It’s a big moment,” Deron Williams said. “It’s definitely a big moment. I’m happy for him. I know he’s been sitting around waiting for a job, and I’m happy to see him on a team, and I’m happy he’s on our team.”

Pierce echoed those sentiments, saying he was proud to be teammates with a man he said would open the door for others to follow his lead.

“He is a regular person,” Pierce said. “You have people who make their choices. I think, along our society, we tend to think of each other and make rules and say what’s right and wrong, and that’s not fair, to say what’s right and wrong. As long as it’s not against the law or something where you’re violating other people’s rights, then so be it.

“This is America. You have freedom of speech, you have the freedom to do a lot of things you want to do here. We welcome him with open arms, and I’m happy he’s the one that I know and has the courage to be able to come out and say it. The good thing about this team is that we’ve embraced him. I think the NBA has embraced him. I think the sports world has embraced him, and that’s going to be good moving forward.”

But for all of the deflecting Collins and the Nets did about the enormity of the moment, when Collins was asked if he had a message for any other gay athletes watching at home, he had an immediate response.

“My message to other athletes, period, is just be yourself,” Collins said. “Be your true, authentic self and never be afraid or ashamed or have any fear to be your true authentic self.”

By stepping onto the floor Sunday night, he helped take sports, and society, another step in the right direction.