e situations," he said in a phone interview

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." Custom Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. 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The 21-year-old American had lost both previous meetings with the 6-foot-10 Karlovic, who won the only U.S. mens tournament played on clay in 2007 at a different Houston venue. In this one Sock broke the Croatians huge serve twice in the first set and wound up spending less than an hour on the court. Socks countryman, Sam Querry, had to battle to get past Alex Bogomolov Jr., of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (6), but it was a satisfying win for the tournaments 2010 runner-up. "Right now Ill take one pretty much however I can get it," said Querrey, whose ranking has plunged from a high of 17 in 2011 to its current 82. He hasnt advanced into the third round this season since the Australian Open in January. "Its the first time Ive been able to grind through a tough match like that all yeear," he said.dddddddddddd "Hopefully it will lead to more wins and better results." German-born Dustin Brown easily moved on, beating American Rhyne Williams 6-1, 6-2. Williams had reached the tournaments semifinals last year. The 29-year-old Brown, who began his pro career playing out of Jamaica, is ranked 101st. Alejandro Gonzalez of Colombia rallied to eliminate Marcos Baghdatis of Cypress 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the final match of the night. Baghdatis, the Australian Open runner-up in 2006 who once ranked eighth, had been given a wild card by tournament organizers. His ranking has fallen to 129. Americans Ryan Harrison and Ryan Harrison, Peter Polansky of Canada and Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain won spots in the 28-man field with victories in the qualifying tournament. Defending champion John Isner, ranked a career-high ninth, is the tournaments No. 1 seed. Spaniard Tommy Robredo is seeded second. They play their first matches Wednesday. ' ' '