Patrick Finley: Time is right for gay athletes

If free agent Jason Collins, right, signs with another NBA team, it would prove players can coexist with an openly gay teammate and fans can cheer for one.

Patrick Finley: Time is right for gay athletes

I smiled when I read this line in Jason Collins' first-person Sports Illustrated account.

NBA: Ex-Stanford star Collins says he's gay

Led Stanford to 1998 Final Four

NBA: Ex-Stanford star Collins says he's gay

WASHINGTON - With the simplest of sentences, NBA veteran Jason Collins set aside years of worry and silence to become the first active player in one of four major U.S. pro sports leagues to come out as gay.

NBA veteran Jason Collins comes out as gay

NBA veteran center Jason Collins has come out as gay.

Women's Sweet 16 preview: SEC foes stand in path of Stanford, Cal

Cal guard Layshia Clarendon, top, scored 27 points to lead California past South Florida 82-78 in overtime Monday. "We're not ready to stop playing yet," said Clarendon, whose team faces LSU tonight in Spokane, Wash.

Women's Sweet 16 preview: SEC foes stand in path of Stanford, Cal

SPOKANE, Wash. - Maybe the Spokane Regional should just be renamed the Pac-12 vs. SEC challenge. West Coast powers Stanford and California on one side. Southern stalwarts Georgia and LSU on the other.

Carson stars in Devils' OT win

Arizona State freshman Jahii Carson puts up a reverse layup against Stanford's Dwight Powell, left, and Josh Huestis during the second half. Carson's 34 points was one shy of the ASU freshman record.

Carson stars in Devils' OT win

LAS VEGAS - Stanford had played 39 minutes, 22 seconds Wednesday without attempting a single free throw, as poor a job in foul enticement since someone first painted a stripe 15 feet from the basket.

Pac-12 tournament: Sun Devil Carson's career day too much for Cardinal to overcome

LAS VEGAS — Stanford had played 39 minutes, 22 seconds Wednesday without attempting a single free throw, as poor a job in foul enticement since someone first painted a stripe 15 feet from the basket.

Pac-12: Better-shooting Stanford, Cal make run at Big Dance tournament

Stanford's Chasson Randle has made 21 of 45 three-point shots in Pac-12 play, or 46.7 percent.

Pac-12: Better-shooting Stanford, Cal make run at Big Dance tournament

There are eight Pac-12 teams within two games of first place.

Arizona basketball: Stanford 'eraser' makes shots disappear

Stanford forward Josh Huestis blocks a shot by Oregon State's Devon Collier in the final minute to preserve an 81-73 win on Sunday.

Arizona basketball: Stanford 'eraser' makes shots disappear

As a springy rebounder and shot blocker, Stanford junior forward Josh Huestis was never much of an offensive threat in three previous games against the Arizona Wildcats.

Women's college basketball: Cougars upset No. 20 Ohio St.

It was a tough day for Ohio State and center Ashley Adams, left, who tried to steal the ball from WSU's Shalie Dheensaw.

Women's college basketball: Cougars upset No. 20 Ohio St.

PULLMAN, Wash. - Lia Galdeira scored 13 of her 15 points in the second half to help Washington State upset No. 20 Ohio State 62-55 on Saturday.

Pac-12 women's preview: Stanford goes for 6th straight Final Four

Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Chiney Ogwumike (13), celebrating a 117-33 exhibition victory over Corban University on Nov. 1 with Amber Orrange (33) and Jasmine Camp (23), is back to lead a Stanford team that lost only two games last season.

Pac-12 women's preview: Stanford goes for 6th straight Final Four

Arizona State forward/center Joy Burke, right, returns for the Sun Devils after missing the final 24 games of last season with a concussion.

Pac-12 women's preview: Stanford goes for 6th straight Final Four

Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Jazmine Davis, racing up court in an exhibition game last month, is one of two Washington players returning from last season's 20-14 team.