Sundance: NBA Star Jason Collins Ranks His Favorite Four Fest Experiences

Ramin Setoodeh / Variety /

Retired basketball star Jason Collins, who became the first openly gay player in the NBA in 2013, made a stop at Variety ’s Sundance party on Sunday night. The event at Stella Artois Cafe was in honor of “I Am Michael,” the drama starring James Franco as a gay rights activist who denounces his homosexuality.

Variety asked Collins to walk through — and grade — his favorite Sundance moments.

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” Screening

“I saw that earlier today, and I loved it. I’m not a crier, but there’s absolutely a sad element. I don’t want to give too much away, but in the title, it says there’s a dying girl. They did a great job.”

Grade: “A.”

“The End of the Tour” Screening

“ Jason Segel and I went to high school together, and we were high school basketball teammates. This is the best acting he’s ever done in his life. I’m so proud of him.”

Grade: “A.”

Iggy Azalea Concert

“I’m a huge fan of hers. She did all her hits, and a few other ones. If I had to pick my favorite Iggy Azalea song, it would be ‘Black Widow.’”

Grade: “A. Gosh, I’m an easy grader. Everyone gets an A.”

“Sleeping With Other People” After-Party

“Over a year ago, I took a trip to Cancun, and I made friends with an actress who was there with a group of people and the director Leslye Headland was there. I remember her telling us about the movie on the beach, and here it is at Sundance. I want to congratulate her. We tried to see it, but we couldn’t get in. The ticketing situation is so hard. I can get into basketball games, but to see some of these movies, it’s tough.”

© 2015 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC