Jason Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier Sunday and coach Jason Kidd said he would play against the Lakers, according to the Associated Press.The 35-year-old center revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent and had remained unsigned.
"Right now I'm focusing on trying to learn the plays, learning the coverages and the game plan and the assignments. So I didn't have time to really think about history," Collins said, the AP reported.
Collins said he was aware of the magnitude of his signing, but repeatedly said he was most concerned with learning the Nets' schemes, the AP reported.
"The pressure is playing in an NBA game tonight and last time I played in an NBA game was last April," Collins said. "So I think that's enough pressure right there," according to the AP.
"The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision," general manager Billy King said in a statement, according to the AP. "We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract."
Collins has played 12 NBA seasons, including his first seven with the Nets, when they were in New Jersey and Kidd was their point guard. Kidd is now the Nets' coach and Collins has been a teammate of several other current Nets, the AP reported.
"Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team. Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment," Commissioner Adam Silver said, according to the AP.
The Nets worked out Collins during the All-Star break and met with him again Sunday, with his twin brother, Jarron, hinting that history would be made, the AP reported.
