Jason Collins enters game for Nets, becomes NBA’s 1st openly gay player on day he signs deal
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Jason Collins has become the first openly gay player to see action in an NBA game.
Collins, signed Sunday to a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn, reported into the game against the Los Angeles Lakers with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after Nick Young made the first of his two free throws.
The crowd welcomed him with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his name.
Earlier, Collins said he was too busy trying to learn plays to worry about making history.
With a need for another big man, the Nets turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach two NBA Finals in the early 2000s.
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