Collins, NBA's 1st openly gay player, retires

By MELISSA MURPHY AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in one of the four major North American professional leagues, announced his retirement Wednesday after 13 years in the NBA.

"It's time and I'm very much looking forward to the next steps," Collins said during a press conference Wednesday before the Brooklyn Nets played the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 35-year-old Collins disclosed his plans earlier in a first-person story for Sports Illustrated. It's the same forum he used in April, 2013, to publicly reveal his sexuality. He was signed by the Nets in February and played 22 games for the team.

Collins said he decided to retire over the summer and had been trying to determine how to make the announcement. He chose Wednesday because he was going to be in New York on business and attending the game to watch his former teammate and coach, Jason Kidd, coach the Bucks.

"After last season, especially over the summer, my body was talking to me like it does to all professional athletes after a certain while," Collins said. "It's a young man's game and Father Time is undefeated. Got another one."

Collins started his career with the New Jersey Nets in 2001 and rejoined the franchise in Brooklyn last February. He revealed at the end of the 2013 season that he is gay, but was a free agent and remained unsigned until the Nets needed another big man.

They turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. He signed a 10-day contract, playing his first game as an out gay man on Feb. 23 on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers to a warm ovation. He stayed the rest of the season.

Nets general manager Billy King congratulated Collins on a "distinguished NBA career" in a statement.

"He was an integral part of the back-to-back Eastern Conference Championship teams," King said. "We wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his career."

Go here to see the original:
Collins, NBA's 1st openly gay player, retires