![]() "I would love to have had more versions of me to show me that it was OK to be gay in basketball," Humphries said. The 24-year-old is only the second male basketball player to say he is gay while playing in a top-tier league the first since NBA player Jason Collins, who did so in 2013. Inevitably, I can help a lot of people and be someone they can look to as an example of someone who can be gay in sport, be gay in basketball." I take my platform in society very seriously and I always wanted to try to help people. I've always wanted to be somebody that people look up to, and seen as a good example. "Being a role model is a big reason why I'm doing this. Because it went so well, I'm not worried about the world responding anymore. "I was very nervous and very scared to have that conversation but, once I got everyone's reaction and everyone was very congratulatory and proud, I didn't feel so worried anymore. "It was an extreme weight lifted from my shoulders," Humphries told ESPN. He's coming off a 20-point performance against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and currently leads the league in blocked shots. Humphries is the starting centre for United in Australia's NBL, and is averaging 12 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. ![]() I discovered this is my purpose in life, and I'm gonna give it my best go." It has nothing to do with your sexuality, or who you are, or who you're meant to be, or who you're expected to be. You can be big Ice and be gay, and you can still be a great basketball player and be gay. "That's my goal behind this: make sure people know you can be whatever you want, no matter who you are or what you do. I know how that feels, and I want to represent those people. "The truth is there are so many people in other worlds that are struggling every single day and don't know how to get up, don't know how to exist. "We, as athletes, as professional athletes, have a responsibility to set examples for people," Humphries said in the video. Humphries made the announcement on Wednesday (AEDT) via a video posted across his social media channels, which showed the moment he shared the news to his teammates. Melbourne United's Isaac Humphries has shared publicly that he is gay, becoming the only openly gay player in a top-tier men's basketball league. Melbourne United's Isaac Humphries announces he is gay You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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