Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out nowBy Jason Collins with Franz LidzPosted: Mon April 29, 2013 11:01AM; Updated: Mon April 29, 2013 7:26PMThis story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons....