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Sports
Gordon says Collins coming out helped him gain confidence
UMass guard Derrick Gordon hopes his decision to become the first openly gay player in Division I men’s 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 league’s first openly gay player when he joined the Brooklyn Nets this season. “Right now I’m happy. I’m free just to live my life,” Gordon told the AP. The sophomore was the Minutemen’s fourth-leading scorer with
TY WRIGHT (AP)
College Basketball
UMass guard Derrick Gordon averaged 9.4 points a games last season.
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 didn’t 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 — I’d sit by myself and they were always wondering why. I did it because I didn’t want to put myself in a situation where maybe something happens and they end up finding out. Then what? I’m not going to know how to handle the situation.” He said he appreciated the support he’s received from his teammates since making his announcement. “They’re ready to get back in the gym just as much as I am,” Gordon said. “I can’t wait to get back with them and get ready for this upcoming season.” 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. Collins tweeted that he was “so proud” of Gordon. HOWARD ULMAN (AP)
Terps’ Cleare Takes the Blame
BASKETBALL
Embiid Going Pro Kansas freshman Joel Embiid is entering the NBA draft after a breakthrough season that ended with a stress fracture in his back that kept the 7-footer out of the NCAA tournament. Embiid said during a news conference Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse that he reached his decision Sunday. (AP)
Shaquille Cleare looked around the bustling food court inside the University of Maryland student union and thought about everything he will soon leave behind. The decision to transfer from the men’s basketball program had lingered in his mind for months, through disappointing games that ushered sleepless nights. Now, at the end of his sophomore season, he felt ready to accept reality. “I’m not blaming anyone but myself,” Cleare said. “I’ll apologize to the fans.” Cleare was one of three players — Nick Faust and Roddy Peters were the others — to receive their
STREETER LECKA (GETTY IMAGES)
College Basketball
Shaquille Cleare averaged 3.4 points per game in two years at Maryland.
release from Maryland on Tuesday. Ranked as a four-star prospect exiting high school two years ago, the prize catch of coach Mark Turgeon’s first full recruiting class, Cleare met for an interview over
lunch Wednesday afternoon. “Sometimes you just got to see what’s out there,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know where I’m going to go.” A s a freshman, he played behind Alex Len, a future top five NBA draft pick. As a sophomore, he started 20 out of 32 games but never found a groove. He scored 3.4 points and grabbed 2.6 rebounds per game at Maryland. “I love Shaq,” Turgeon said by phone Tuesday night. “I’ve known Shaq since he was a freshman in high school. Really going to miss him. Enjoyed coaching him and he gave me everything he had. I’m just sad it’s not going to work out.” ALE X PREWIT T (THE WASHINGTON POST )
KEVIN C. COX (GETTY IMAGES)
UMass Hoops Player: I’m Gay The Redskins will open the preseason against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Preseason Matchups Announced Redskins The Redskins will open the presea son at home aga i nst t he New England Patriots, the NFL announced Wednesday afternoon. The Redskins will then host the Cleveland Browns on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on Aug. 18. That game will represent a meeting with former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The final two preseason games take place on the road, at Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Dates and times for the first, third and fourth games have yet to be determined. The Redsk ins went undefeated in the preseason last year — beating the Titans, Steelers, Bills and Buccaneers — before going 3-13 in the regular season. MIKE JONES (THE WASHINGTON POST )
TV Lineup CAPITALS (7 P.M., CSN) Washington is coming off one of its best games of the season, a 4-1 win over the Blues, but it’s probably too late to save its playoff hopes. The Capitals are at Carolina tonight before ending the season vs. Chicago and Tampa Bay.