NEW YORK – NBA Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement this morning regarding Washington Wizards center Jason Collins’ announcement today:

“As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family.   Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”