The Brooklyn Nets are considering signing Jason Collins — the first American male athlete in one of the four major professional leagues to come out as gay — to a contract, sources tell NBC News.
The Nets had a private workout with Collins during the All-Star Break in Los Angeles, his hometown, the sources said.
Collins who played most of his career with the Nets when they played in New Jersey is reportedly in good shape and is being considered for a 10 day contract, essentially a tryout, the sources said.
Nets general manager Billy King also confirmed the team worked out Collins, and said they are looking for a big man.
At the end of the 2012-2013 NBA season Collins became the first athlete in one of the main four american professional sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) to come out as gay.
That season the 35-year-old Collins played in 38 games for Boston and Washington but hadn't been particularly productive in recent years.
He has a number of former teammates on the Nets, including coach Jason Kidd, who showed public support for Collins after his revelation.
There was a good deal of positive feedback from players and league officials at the time, but Collins inability to get back in the NBA has raised questions about whether his situation is the result of bias against gays or just his declining skills.
It's notable that the Nets are owned by Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov, who ran against Vladimir Putin in Russia's presidential election two years ago. Putin has been criticized around the world for Russia's anti-gay policies.
— The Associated Press contributed to this story
