NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets to sign Jason Collins

Mar. 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Washington Wizards center Jason Collins against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Wizards defeated the Suns 88-79. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL is preparing to watch its first openly gay player compete at the Combine and eventually compete on Sundays, but it appears the NBA is going to beat them to the finish line. According to Ramona Shelburne from ESPNLosAngeles, the Brooklyn Nets are expected to sign Jason Collins this afternoon and have him available for the rest of the season and hopefully the post season.

Collins is expected to be a member of the Nets by tonight's game with the Lakers at Staples Center, source tells ESPN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 23, 2014

Should he be signed, Collins would become the first openly gay athlete in professional sports history to play after coming out to the world. It’s an incredible step that can’t be overlooked, although Collins himself is trying to push the issue to the side for now.

Shelburne goes on to point out that Collins wanted his signing to be a basketball decision and not a decision of any other kind. Looking at what the Nets did and didn’t do in recent days, this is absolutely a basketball decision which makes Collins signing with the Nets even sweeter.

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