UMass guard Derrick Gordon hopes his decision to become the first openly gay player in Division I mens basketball will inspire others. "There are a lot of kids out there in my situation, probably far worse situations," he said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "Maybe I can give a lot of kids that confidence that they need to get over that hump." Earlier Wednesday, Gordon made the announcement in interviews with ESPN and Outsports. He said he gained confidence by seeing an NBA team sign Jason Collins, who became the leagues first openly gay player when he joined the Brooklyn Nets this season. "Right now Im happy. Im free just to live my life," Gordon told the AP. The sophomore was the Minutemens fourth-leading scorer with 9.4 points per game last season. UMass reached the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998 and lost in its first game to Tennessee. He sat out the previous season after transferring from Western Kentucky to be closer to his family in New Jersey, where he played at high school powerhouse St. Patrick. Gordon said he told his parents he was gay March 30, informed UMass coach Derek Kellogg the next day and told his teammates two days later, which was last Wednesday. He said some of them probably have known since last summer. "They could sense it because I kind of separated myself from the team," Gordon said. "I didnt really hang out with them as far as going to parties and stuff. I really kind of kept to myself, kept quiet. We went on road trips -- Id sit by myself and they were always wondering why. I did it because I didnt want to put myself in a situation where maybe something happens and they end up finding out. Then what? Im not going to know how to handle the situation." He said he appreciated the support hes received from his teammates since making his announcement. "Theyre ready to get back in the gym just as much as I am," Gordon said. "I cant wait to get back with them and get ready for this upcoming season." In the Outsports interview, Gordon said he considered quitting basketball last fall and isolated himself from teammates because of teasing. Over the summer, he had "liked" a photo on Instagram of him and his then-boyfriend in front of a gay bar. Gordon said Wednesday that he had talked several times with Collins, who made a trailblazing announcement last April when he came out in an interview with Sports Illustrated. In February, he became the first openly gay male athlete in the four major North American pro sports leagues. Collins tweeted that he was "so proud" of Gordon: "Another brave young man who is going to make it easier for so many others to live an authentic life." Michael Sam, an All-American defensive end at Missouri, came out in interviews with ESPN, The New York Times and Outsports in February after his college career ended. He is projected as a middle-round prospect in next months NFL draft. Sam tweeted congratulations to Gordon after the announcement: "You have so many in your corner and were all proud and rooting for you." Kellogg and UMass director of athletics John McCutcheon offered their support in statements from the school. The coach said that "I have the most profound respect for Derrick and the decision he has made to come out publicly." He called Gordon "a model student, a terrific competitor, but most importantly, he is a wonderful human being." Air Max 270 Moins Cher . Advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals should be a formality after Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Dani Alves added a late second to secure a commanding 2-0 advantage over City in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Air Max 270 Pas Cher Chine . "Last year didnt go the way we wanted it to, but we need to look at what went well and what didnt go so well. Hopefully this year we will be better," Brendan Gallagher said after practice. This year, the Canadiens have a little more depth to work with by adding players like Daniel Briere, Dale Weise, Mike Weaver, Douglas Murray and arguably, the biggest addition to this playoff roster, Thomas Vanek, who the Canadiens were able to land at the trade deadline. http://www.airmaxpaschersite.fr/ . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont. Air Max 90 Pas Cher Chine . - Kobe Bryant and LeBron James traded hugs, big shots and verbal jabs all night with warmth and humour. Air Max 200 France . -- Jerel Worthy and his Michigan State teammates charged across the field, holding four fingers in the air while celebrating another sweet victory over their biggest rival.ATLANTA -- Pero Antic made the game-winning inbounds pass. Al Horford said all he had to do was make the catch near the basket and then shoot a soft jumper. All in 1.8 seconds. Just like in practice. Horford matched his career high with 34 points, including a jumper as time expired in overtime, and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter to beat the Washington Wizards 101-99 on Friday night. "We work on that in practice," Horford said. "We had three options: Me, Paul (Millsap) or Kyle (Korver). I think they overplayed both of those guys. (Antic) gave me a great pass." With the game tied at 99, Antic threw the high pass over other players to Horford, who hit a short fallaway over Washingtons Trevor Booker as the buzzer sounded. A video review confirmed the shot beat the buzzer. "It was supposed to be a lob for a dunk," Horford said. "As soon as I got it, I shot it." Booker, who led Washington with 24 points and 14 rebounds, said he thought he could intercept the pass. "It hurts," Booker said. "I thought I could get the ball and it went over my head. "(Horford) actually fumbled it at first and then knocked it down. I didnt even get a chance to really contest it." Millsap and Korver had 16 points for Atlanta. Horford grabbed 15 rebounds. The Hawks took their 11th straight home win in the series. Korvers 3-pointer gave Atlanta a 95-93 lead in overtime. After Teague had two baskets for Atlanta, each answered by Booker, Washington called a timeout with 11 seconds remaining in the extra period. John Walls penetration and pass set up Bookers tying layup with 1.8 seconds remaining. Wall, quiet most of the night, had 11 points in the fourth period and finished with 13 while shooting only 6 of 22. Martell Webster had 15 points. "We just gave this game away," Wall said, adding his fourth-quarter shots were "the same shots I took in the first half, I just didnt make them. I struggled." The Wizards led 86-84 when Horford blocked aa shot by Marcin Gortat.dddddddddddd Wall fouled Horford with 5.5 seconds remaining in regulation and Horford made both free throws to tie the game. Wall, guarded by DeMarre Carroll, missed a fallaway jumper at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. The Hawks led 48-46 at halftime before outscoring the Wizards 23-15 in the third period. Washington made only 5 of 17 shots in the period. Atlanta took an 80-65 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Wizards made their charge with a 16-2 run. "We gave them life," Horford said. "Theyre a resilient team." Washington coach Randy Wittman said his players "didnt do anything" before the run late in regulation. "Ill give them credit for staying in the fight and having an opportunity to win the game," Wittman said. "But when you dont play for 42 minutes, youve got to play perfect basketball. ... I just dont think we were ready to play." Bookers basket with 4:30 remaining cut the Hawks lead to 82-77. A tip-in by Gortat trimmed the lead to three points. Following a missed 3-pointer by Korver, Wall went behind his back on a drive and basket with 2:56 remaining, cutting Atlantas lead to 82-81. Wall added a jumper and 3-pointer in the final 2:15 of regulation. Korver had four 3-pointers, extending his NBA-record streak to 92 games with at least one 3. Wizards rookie Otto Potter, playing in his third game, closed the first period with his first career field goal. Potter then made Washingtons first basket of the second period on a jumper. NOTES: Washingtons last win at Atlanta was on Jan. 11, 2008. ... Gortat had 12 points and 10 rebounds. ... Horford also had 34 points at Utah on Feb. 27, 2013. ... Wizards F Nene (Achilles) and G Bradley Beal (leg) did not play. Webster returned after missing one game with a sprained right ankle. ... The Hawks recalled G John Jenkins from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. Jenkins was assigned to Bakersfield on Dec. 6. ... Horfords previous season high was 27 points at Sacramento on Nov. 5. ' ' '