NEW YORK (AFP) - Jason Collins, who became the National Basketball Association's first openly gay player, announced that he is retiring from professional basketball

on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Collins, who played 22 games for the Brooklyn Nets last year, announced his decision in an article for Sports Illustrated, writing that "basketball saved me".

"In order to understand why I am so lucky to be sitting here today as a person who is finally comfortable in his own skin, you need to understand how basketball saved me," Collins wrote.

"I needed to live the past few years as an openly gay basketball player in order to be at peace retiring today."

Collins is not on an NBA roster this season.

He said he would hold a news conference before the Brooklyn Nets' game on Wednesday to explain his decision in more detail.

Collins said he would encourage other gay athletes in North America's professional sports to come out, including Major League Baseball.

"There are still no publicly gay players in the NFL, NHL or major league baseball," Collins wrote.

"Believe me: They exist. Every pro sport has them. I know some of them personally.

"When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he'll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids, when we get to the point where he plays while his significant other waits in the family room, when we get to the point where he's not compelled to hide his true self and is able to live an authentic life, then coming out won't be such a big deal. But we're not there yet."

Collins thanked his teammates and coaches on the Nets for their support.

"There are so many people I have to thank for helping me on my journey. My teammates, coaches, and the Brooklyn Nets organization gave me an opportunity," he said.

"The entire NBA family, where the leadership of David Stern and Adam Silver created an environment that made me feel safe to step forward."