GAY US BASKETBALL PLAYER SIGNED BY TEAM

After testing his talents, the Brooklyn Nets have signed openly gay basketball player Jason Collins to their team for the rest of the season.

Collins came out in April last year to widespread praise from the likes of President Obama but failed to find a sporting home until last month when he was given a 10 day contract by the team.

Now, after proving his worth on the court, his contract has been extended by the Nets for the rest of the season, which lasts for another month or so.

“I’m just trying to be Jason Collins,” Collins told ESPN. “What Jackie Robinson [the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball] did for the sport of baseball and our society [is] tremendous. But I am just trying to be Jason Collins.”

Not only has the 25-year-old athlete done well in the game, his No. 98 jersey has also become a hit among the buying public.

Collins chose the number in honour of slain gay student Matthew Shepard, who was killed because of his sexuality in 1998.

The basketball star has become the first openly gay athlete in a top American professional team sport.