Collins says the text from the former tennis great was "very meaningful and very much appreciated."
MORE: Silver ‘honored’ Collins found team | Collins focuses on basketball, not history | Nets sign first openly gay player
Collins spoke before the Nets practiced at UCLA on Tuesday. They resume their road trip with a game at Portland on Wednesday night.
Collins signed a 10-day contract on Sunday and played 10 scoreless minutes in a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He revealed at the end of last season that he is gay, but was a free agent and had remained unsigned until the Nets needed another big man.
