‘Happy with who I am’: Isaac Humphries comes out as NBL’s first openly gay player

Melbourne United basketballer Isaac Humphries has received worldwide applause after revealing he is the first openly gay man to play in the National Basketball League.

Humphries, a starting centre with United, told teammates on Wednesday of his decision to go public.

“I have hidden something about myself my whole life, from everyone I love, and even myself sometimes. It is a truth about myself that I have wanted to deny for a long time, but now I feel comfortable in telling you all. That truth, is that I am gay,” Humphries said.

“I have been through extremely dark times during this journey, but I have been through so much growth and I am now happy with who I am.

“I figured out a lot about myself during this most recent off-season, and I have thought about this a lot. I knew if I were to join a team and start a season, I knew I would have to reveal who I am and not hide any more. I have finally come to a point where I know I can reveal myself as a gay man and still play professional sport.”

Humphries, 24, is only the second male basketball player to come out as gay while playing in a major league. The first was NBA veteran Jason Collins, who did so in 2013.

Humphries is the first professional Australian male basketball player to confirm that he is gay, and the first player in the NBL to be openly gay.

In a video shared across social media of the moment he told teammates, Humphries also revealed the mental toll his secret had taken on him.

“I couldn’t be who I am, and I attempted to take my life. The main reason behind me becoming so low and being in that point is because I was very much struggling with my sexuality and coming to terms with the fact that I’m gay,” Humphries told teammates.

“I hated it about myself. I was disgusted at myself. I thought that I could not be that person within our environment, within a basketball environment. It wasn’t until I was in a community that’s full of pride and happiness and joy - it was a big wake-up call for me.

Melbourne United’s Isaac Humphries (right) has become the first openly gay man in the NBL.Credit: Getty Images

“But then came the big question mark of how do I be a basketball player, and how do I join a new team when I’ve finally come to terms with this about myself and I don’t wanna hide who I am anymore? I decided that, if I’m gonna join a team, that I’m gonna come out publicly, and just make sure people know that you can live. And you don’t have to hide, just because you’re an athlete.”

The NBA shared Humphries’ video to Twitter, saying the organisation was “proud and grateful to Isaac for sharing his story”.

“We know the real impact his honesty and courage will have on many others. Isaac has our unwavering respect and support,” the statement said to the NBA’s 40 million followers.

United coach Dean Vickerman was full of admiration for Humphries.

“We love Isaac here at the club. For him to feel comfortable to be his true self here is great, and we couldn’t be more proud of him,” Vickerman said.

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said Humphries had always been “a role model and leader”.

Beau Newell, the program manager for Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit program that supports Australian sporting organisations and clubs in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion, praised Humphries’ decision.

“His bravery is to be congratulated, and his journey shows the unfortunate reality that many athletes face when they are not able to enjoy the sport they love as their true selves,” Newell said.

“Like Humphries, many athletes self-edit their existence in sport and expend a good deal of their daily energy on hiding their true self from others. His statement highlights the fear that many athletes have in coming out: that they will face potential discrimination, harassment, bullying from those within their sport and loss of professional opportunities.

“It is the right of every player to be accepted and affirmed, on and off the sporting field, and we know that when this happens, mental and physical health outcomes dramatically improve.”

Male athletes who are openly LGBTQI are still rare in professional sport. Adelaide United soccer star Josh Cavallo last year made the brave call to announce that he was gay.

Carl Nassib last year became the first openly gay player in the NFL, while Luke Prokop in the NHL did likewise.

In the NRL, Ian Roberts came out as gay in 1995 while playing for the Manly Sea Eagles, becoming the first rugby league player in the world to do so.

The AFL is yet to have a male openly gay or bisexual player, but the AFLW has led the way, including through its annual Pride round.

United’s next game is against Humphries’ former club, the Adelaide 36ers, on Thursday (7.30pm) at John Cain Arena. Humphries is averaging 12 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

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