"I got them a bucket," the Brooklyn Nets' center said with a chuckle. "And of course, I had what, like three, four, five fouls. So, I did my usual fouls and I got them a bucket. And a free throw."

After his eight-minute cameo in Brooklyn's 112-89 win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, the first openly gay athlete in America's four major sports met with the parents of slain Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard.

Shepard was tortured and murdered in 1998 because he was gay. Collins wears his No. 98 jersey in Shepard's honor.

Collins, who signed a 10-day contract with the Nets on Sunday, said the chance to meet Dennis and Judy Shepard was "one of those cool treats in life."

He gave them a signed black and white jersey — although not a game-worn one.

"I did not want to give them a sweaty jersey, so this is a backup," he said with a laugh before going off to meet with the Shepards, who drove up from Casper, for 10 minutes in a meeting room down the hall.

Laughter could be heard throughout the meeting.

"It was great. It was all great. He's very kind, smart, humble. It was delightful. We were happy to finally have the opportunity to meet," Judy Shepard said.

She said getting his jersey was "cool. It was very sweet, very genuine and very thoughtful."

Her husband said he hopes the day quickly comes where someone's sexuality is a non-issue.

"There should be no publicity over this. It should be just an ordinary every day thing, like the military now," he said. "That's what we're hoping for, soon. Thank you very much."

"His career is the most important thing," Judy Shepard added as they walked away. "That's it."

Collins said Shepard's death had a deep effect on him.

"I was in college at the time and when he was killed and of course it's a tragedy what happened and I just hope that it inspires others to move forward and again I'm looking forward to meeting his parents," Collins said about 90 minutes before tipoff. "I had the honor and pleasure of speaking with his mom last spring and she was a cool lady, a cool woman, and so I'm looking forward to meeting with both of them face to face."

Collins wore No. 98 with both the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards even before coming out last spring. The jersey has been a big seller on NBAStore.com, something Collins said honored Shepard and the Trevor Project, which was established in 1998 and aims to prevent suicide among LGBT youth.

For its part, the NBA announced plans to donate proceeds from sales of Jason Collins jerseys to the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

The league said Friday the donations will total no less than $100,000, and it will also auction off Collins' autographed, game-worn jerseys to benefit the same organizations.

Collins said he is thrilled to help the organizations that "work tirelessly to ensure LGBT youth get the resources and assistance they need to be successful in life."

The No. 98 jersey wasn't ready for his first game with the Nets — he wore a spare with his name hastily added for the contest against the Lakers on Sunday — but he wore No. 98 against the Blazers on Wednesday night and against the Nuggets on Thursday night.

Collins said slipping on that jersey with the significance no longer a closely held secret meant a lot to him.

"Obviously, it started off my friends and family knew why I chose that number and it's just cool to see that so many people support it as evidenced by so many people buying the jersey," he said.


BUTLER SIGNS WITH THUNDER


Caron Butler will sign with Oklahoma City, choosing the Thunder over Miami when he clears waivers Saturday at 5, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Friday.

Butler, who was traded from Phoenix to Milwaukee last year, was averaging 11.0 points and 4.6 rebounds this season with the Bucks. The Bucks bought out Butler on Thursday.

Despite a three-game losing streak — since Russell Westbrooks’ returns — the Thunder are the top team in the Western Conference at 43-15. Miami is second in the Eastern Conference, trailing Indiana by two games.

The Heat drafted Butler 10th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft and he averaged 15.4 points as a rookie and 9.2 points his second season. But he was traded to the Lakers, along with Brian Grant and Lamar Odom in 2004 for Shaquille O’Neal.

He was selected to the All-Star Game in 2007 and 2008 when he played with Washington.


GRANGER JOINS CLIPPERS


Forward Danny Granger has signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, adding more veteran depth for the club's playoff push.

The former All-Star joined the Clippers on Friday after his contract was bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers, who acquired him in a trade with Indiana last week. Granger cleared waivers shortly before Los Angeles announced the deal.

Granger could play significant minutes for the Clippers (40-20), who lead the Pacific Division by four games over Golden State. He is coach Doc Rivers' second major free-agent addition to the Clippers in the past week along with veteran big man Glen Davis.


HOLIDAY DONE


The New Orleans Pelicans say starting point guard Jrue Holiday has undergone surgery for a stress fracture in his right tibia and will miss the rest of the season.

The club says Friday's surgery was successful.

Holiday, a former Eastern Conference All-Star acquired from Philadelphia last summer, has not played because of the shin injury since Jan. 8.

In 34 games played for the Pelicans this season, Holiday has averaged 14.3 points, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 33.6 minutes.

The Pelicans disclosed Holiday's condition a few hours before playing in Phoenix on Friday night.

Holiday joins starting center Jason Smith and high-scoring forward Ryan Anderson as Pelicans regulars missing the rest of the season.


AYON OUT FOR SEASON


Hawks center Gustavo Ayon will miss the remainder of the season following surgery on his right shoulder.

Ayon started 14 games, most coming after injuries to All-Star center Al Horford and top backup Pero Antic. Ayon's surgery on Friday was performed in Atlanta by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks physician Dr. Michael Bernot.

Ayon averaged 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26 games.

Elton Brand has started the last five games following Ayon's injury.

The Hawks signed center Mike Muscala, a 2013 second-round draft pick, on Thursday after completing the buyout of his Spanish League contract.

Contributors: The Associated Press, Ken Bradley