NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets GM says signing Jason Collins was a basketball decision
By Josh Hill
The Brooklyn Nets may have made a big trade before the deadline passed on Thursday, but they made a historic move on Sunday when the signed Jason Collins to a 10-day contract. Collins, by signing with the Nets and suiting up for them, will become the first openly gay processional athlete to play in a game after coming out to the public.
Collins came out this summer when he was a free agent but couldn’t find work until the Nets picked up him this weekend. While the Nets are obviously honored to have added Collins to their roster for the historic value, general manager Billy King says that signing Collins was a basketball decision first and foremost, and the player’s sexuality didn’t factor in.
It shouldn’t be lost on any sports fan that the borough that welcomed Jackie Robinson into the Majors is the same borough welcoming the first openly gay athlete to the NBA. Collins is on a 10-day contract but it will take just one for him to make history.