Jason Collins signed to a second ten-day contract

As expected, the Brooklyn Nets announced today that they have signed backup center Jason Collins to a second ten-day contract. The Nets signed Collins on February 23rd before the team’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, and had to either sign him to a second contract or release him by this date.

The contract keeps Collins with the Nets through Saturday, March 15th. They’ll have to decide by then if they want to release him or sign him outright for the rest of the season.

It’s widely expected that the Nets will sign Collins for the rest of the season; for one, he’s the first openly gay athlete in NBA history, but he also provides insurance for starting center Kevin Garnett, who often sits the second half of back-to-back games and has missed the last three games with back spasms.

Collins has played 36 minutes over five games, scoring three points and committing 11 fouls.