UMass guard Derrick Gordon hopes his decision to become the first openly gay player in Division I mens basketball will inspire others. Chris Smalling Jersey . "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." Marcos Rojo Jersey . "If we only consider this season," Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said, "there is just one club in Manchester -- and its ours. Phil Jones Jersey . Roma has a game in hand but now second place is even at risk for the capital side as Napoli moved to within three points with the win. "The result is not always fair," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "If we play like this until the end we will win many matches. http://www.manunitedfcpro.com/Kids-Victor-Lindelof-Jersey/ . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag.Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Zach Randolph scored 20 points with 15 rebounds to help the Memphis Grizzlies in a 102-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Courtney Lee and Beno Udrih each contributed 17 points, with Udrih making all seven of his attempts -- including a pair of big shots down the stretch. Jeff Green also scored 17 points in his FedEx Forum debut for the Grizzlies. Memphis has won four straight games and also sent the Blazers to their first three-game losing streak of the season. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 32 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Wesley Matthews and Damian Lillard went for 25 and 23 points, respectively. Matthews opened the final frame with a basket to cut the Blazers deficit to six, but Memphis responded with six straight points to regain a double-digit lead. A 12-2 Portland run was opened and closed with Matthews converting 3-pointers as the visitors closed to within two with 5:18 left. Lee stemmed the momentum with a 3-pointer out of a timeout to push the lead to 89-84, but the Blazers would not go away. Aldridge knocked down a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to three, then both teams traded baskets before Green came up with a big tip-in with 1:51 on the clock. Lillard hit a 3-pointer that cut it too two preceding Udrihs jumper from the top of the key with 38. Ashley Young Jersey. .4 seconds left. Matthews tossed up a deep 3-pointer on Portlands next touch, Randolph came down with the board and hit both free throws at the other end. Lillard then converted an off-balance 3 for the Blazers, but Udrih ran the clock down, drove past Lillard and made another mid-range jumper to essentially seal the outcome with 8.7 seconds remaining. Memphis made 75 percent of its shots in the first quarter to take a 30-23 lead into the second. Marc Gasol, who had 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists, knocked down a jumper to start a 14-6 run over the final five minutes of the second quarter to help the Grizzlies to a 60-42 lead at the break. Randolph contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. Matthews and Steve Blake each canned a 3-pointer around a Randolph basket late in the third, then Matthews nailed another triple to make it a 78-70 game entering the fourth. Game Notes Memphis made 51 percent of its shots, limiting the Blazers to 39 percent shooting ... The Grizzlies led by as many as 20 ... There were a total of six fastbreak points scored between both teams ... 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