American pro teams sports has its first openly gay male athlete, and it is no surprise that he is from the NBA. In a first-person story that will adorn the cover of this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, veteran center Jason Collins has come out, flatly stating that he is “happy to start the conversation.” Collins said that he arrived at his decision to disclose his sexuality during the 2011 lockout, when his preparation routine for the following season was disrupted and