NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out as gay

Boston Celtics’ Jason Collins poses during Celtics NBA basketball media day at the team’s training facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, in this Sept. 28, 2012, file photo. Collins, an NBA veteran center, has become the first male professional athlete in the major four American sports leagues to come out as gay. AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER

NEW YORK— NBA veteran center Jason Collins has become the first active male professional athlete in the major four American sports leagues to come out as gay.

Collins wrote a first-person account posted Monday on Sports Illustrated’s website. The 34-year-old Collins has played for six NBA teams in 12 seasons. He finished this past season with the Washington Wizards and is now a free agent. He says he wants to continue playing.

Collins wrote: “If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”

Collins played in a Final Four for Stanford and reached two NBA Finals. His twin brother, Jarron, was also a longtime NBA center. Jason said he came out to his brother last summer.