NBL player Isaac Humphries comes out as gay to Melbourne United teammates

An Australian basketball star come out as gay triggering a wave of support from around the globe. See his brave address to his teammates here.

Melbourne United centre Isaac Humphries has received global respect after revealing he is the NBL’s first openly gay man during an emotional and brave address to teammates.

Humphries took to social media on Wednesday morning to reveal he attempted to take his own life as he battled with his sexuality.

The 24-year-old, who played five NBA games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2018-19, is now comfortable with his identity and wanted to publicly share his story in a bid to help others.

“A few years ago, I fell into a very dark place, a very lonely place and I couldn’t be who I am,” Humphries told his United teammates in an emotional video.

REACTION: IAN ROBERTS PRAISES HUMPHRIES’ BRAVERY

https://t.co/nVVJSupmFopic.twitter.com/AbcLdBWA94

— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2022

“I attempted to take my own life and the main reason for 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.

“And I hated it about myself. I was disgusted at myself.

“I thought that I could not be that person within our environment and within a basketball environment.”

Humphries said he finally accepted his sexuality when he was in a community “full of pride, happiness and joy”.

He also wanted to remove any stigma associated with professional athletes being gay.

“It was a big wake up call for me,” he said.

“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 myself, and I don’t want to hide who I am anymore.

“I decided that if I’m going to join a team, that I’m going to come out publicly and just make sure that people know that you can live, and you don’t have to hide just because you are an athlete.

Isaac Humphries of United. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“But I do want to see that, we as professional athletes, we do have a responsibility to set examples for people.

“And the truth is that 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 and I know how that feels and I want to represent those people.

“That’s my goal behind this, is to make people know that you can be whatever you want, no matter who you are and what you do.

"Truth is that I'm gay"

Australian basketball star @IsaacHumphries7 who plays for @MelbUnited tells @AmandaDCNN why his hard journey to becoming an openly gay player was absolutely worth it.

Read his story in @CNNopinionhttps://t.co/4Q6FSrc5mHpic.twitter.com/fRH39Hz9Qt

— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) November 15, 2022

“You can be ‘Big Ice’ and be gay and you can still be a great basketball player and be gay.”

Melbourne United’s CEO Nick Truelson expressed the pride felt throughout the entire club.

“Our whole organisation is just so proud of Isaac,” Truelson said.

“Today is an incredible step in Isaac’s journey, and we as a club are wholeheartedly supportive of him. Not only as a member of our club, but as a person. This is a momentous occasion for him personally, but also for male sport on a global scale.”

“Our purpose at Melbourne United is to use the power of basketball to enrich the lives of our community, and this includes a strong focus on inclusion and diversity. We are thrilled that Isaac has identified our club as a safe space in which he can be his true self.”

We stand with you Isaac and fully support your announcement today, which shows tremendous courage and faith within our community. ❤️🌈 https://t.co/2DDduFdw5p

— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) November 15, 2022

Much love @IsaacHumphries7 🏳️‍🌈 https://t.co/CQ4DKP0hU7

— Tasmania JackJumpers 🐜 (@JackJumpers) November 15, 2022

The NBL and its clubs have released statements in support of Isaac Humphries.

The NBL released a statement to support and stand with Humphries after he bravely revealed his sexuality.

“Isaac has always been a role model and leader. He is someone we’ve always held in the highest regard,” NBL Commissioner, Jeremy Loeliger said.

“Isaac has conducted himself admirably today and over the course of his career, in dealing with what has clearly been a significant cause of distress and consternation for him personally.”

Loeliger says Humphries’ announcement shows the NBL continues to be a place where players, coaches and staff feel safe and supported.

“As a League we celebrate people from all walks of life and embrace and foster diversity and inclusion,” Loeliger added.

“Basketball is a game that brings people together, and it is no more evident than today.”

The NBA also released a powerful show of support for Humphries after he publicly revealed he is the first male in top-tier basketball to announce that he is gay.

“We are proud and grateful to Isaac for sharing his story,” the statement on Twitter said.

“We know the real impact his honesty and courage will have on many others.

“Isaac has our unwavering respect and support.”

Humphries is the only active gay player in top-tier world basketball and the first since former Boston Celtics centre Jason Collins came out after the 2012-2013 NBA season.

Jason Collins.

Collins came out after the 2012-13 NBA season.

Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit program that supports Australian sporting organisations and clubs in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion, issued a statement in response to Humphries coming out publicly as gay.

“Pride in Sport applauds Isaac for his courage and leadership in becoming the first openly gay male NBL player,” said Beau Newell, the National Program Manager for Pride In Sport.

“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 many professional athletes self-edit their existence in sport and expend a good deal of their daily energy on hiding their true self from others.

“Isaac’s 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,” he said.

“We know that experiences of prejudice and harassment, and/or not being able to live openly can impact on the mental health of LGBTQ people. Research shows that traditional sports are often seen as unwelcome spaces for people of all ages with diverse sexualities or genders, with many athletes being completely or partially in the closet while playing sport due to fear of intolerance and discrimination from other players, coaches, and officials.

“We applaud Humphries for sharing his story and couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Originally published as NBL player Isaac Humphries comes out as gay to Melbourne United teammates