Nets sign pioneer Collins to another 10-day deal

Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, has signed a second 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets, team general manager Billy King announced Wednesday. Collins scored three points and grabbed five rebounds in 36 minutes on the court as a reserve center over five games in his first 10-day deal. The 35-year-old American became the first openly gay player in any of the four major American men's team sports when he walked onto the court for the Nets on February 23 in a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Collins received a standing ovation at his first home game for the Nets on Monday, a 96-80 victory over Chicago. In his 13th NBA season, Collins has averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over 718 NBA appearances. Collins, who revealed his homosexuality in a Sports Illustrated cover story nearly 10 months ago, helped the Nets reach the NBA Finals twice when the team was based in nearby New Jersey. Source: AFP