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Jason Collins, 35, is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets today and will be available to play with the team when they meet the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in the Staples Center, reports Yahoo Sports.

RELATED:

Michael Sam: NFL Prospect Announces That He’s Gay

Jason Collins: NBA Player Comes Out As Gay In Sports Illustrated

As previously reported by NewsOne, in April of last year Collins became the first pro-athlete of any sports organization to come out as gay.

In an Sports Illustrated interview with writer Franz Lidz, Collins declared: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

Read more about Collins’s signing with the Nets from the Associated Press:

The 35-year-old center played in 38 games for Boston and Washington in 2012-13. He has a number of former teammates on the Nets, including coach Jason Kidd.

General Manager Billy King said earlier this week the Nets had worked out Collins and he was a candidate to fill the team’s need for a post player.

King said the Nets wouldn’t be concerned about any extra attention the signing of Collins would provide.

“We’re going to bring in a basketball player,” King said. “It’s not about marketing or anything like that.”

Collins’ twin brother, Jarron Collins, tweeted the following:

The Nets’ deal with Collins comes on the heels of former University of Missouri lineman Michael Sam, 24, revealing that he’s gay.

As previously reported by NewsOne, the 6-3, 260-pound defensive lineman and NFL prospect swiftly gained the support of the league after he made the announcement.