Kobe Bryant: 'Jason Collins has set an incredible precedent'

Kobe Bryant has claimed that Jason Collins has set an "incredible precedent" by becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in any of the four major US sports.

Collins, who came out as gay in April 2013, made his debut for the Brooklyn Nets in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday after signing a short-term deal with the franchise.

"It's fantastic. It sets an incredible precedent," Bryant, who missed the game due to an ongoing battle with a knee injury, told Yahoo Sports.

"I think the most important part about it, what I've learned on the issue is that one person coming out is showing this type of courage that gives others that same type of courage.

"You look at it from the context of having the first openly gay player. But they missed the domino effect that it has way beyond sports."

Collins hadn't played since last April before featuring for the Nets on Sunday.