NBA Trade Rumors & Report 2014: Openly Gay Player Jason Collins Signs with Nets

Despite the fact that Jason Collins has become NBA's "first active openly gay player" on Sunday, he said he's focusing more on his game.

"I don't have time to really think about history right now," the NBA quoted him as saying. Well and good - because the next thing he needs to do is prove that he has what it takes to help his team win games.

"Collins signed a 10-day deal with the Nets on Sunday, and will be available to play Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran center had not been in the league since a six-game stint with the Washington Wizards in 2013. Collins is also the first active openly gay player in any of the four major U.S. sports (i.e. baseball, basketball, football and hockey)," Mashable also reported.

"The pressure is playing in an NBA game tonight and last time I played in an NBA game was last April. So I think that's enough pressure right there," the 7-foot basketball player observed.

In the early 2000s, Collins had helped the Nets reach 2 NBA Finals. This time, the franchise is hoping he will do the same thing for them.

"The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision. 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," explained general manager Billy King in a statement.

Collins averages 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in his career, NBA noted. He has played a total of 38 games last season, first with Boston and then with Washington.

Mashable said that Collins came out last year in May during a Sports Illustrated interview. He was unsigned at the time of his revelation.

Bleacher Report noted that Twitter reacted to Collins' recent signing. Fortunately for the player, most of the reactions featured in the piece were positive and encouraging.