Isaac Humphries reflects on his locker room experiences ahead of NBL Pride Round

As the only current openly gay basketballer in the world, Isaac Humphries reflects on his ‘tricky’ locker room experiences and the positive change he’s seen at the NBL.

Adelaide 36ers big man Isaac Humphries has opened up on the “tricky” locker room environments he experienced growing up and now as the only openly gay player in the NBL. 

Humphries, 27, who came out two years ago while at Melbourne United and now wears the 36ers jersey is just one of two basketballers to have publicly come out across the globe. 

Describing it as a “weight lifted off his shoulders,” the 36ers centre says he could not happier to be the driving force within a sporting organisation’s four walls, and to be the face for change for kids coming through the same locker room he once walked through.

“It was a tricky space, the locker room for me,” Humphries said at the Champion NBL Pride Round launch on Wednesday afternoon.

“It still is but it’s a bit more understood now.

Isaac Humphries opened up on the locker room environment he experienced. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“Growing up I felt a little off, you’re always on edge, the locker room is a tricky place for a lot of people. 

“But after I came out, I was able to feel comfortable, and immediately I was met with a lot of respect and understanding and questions.”

Only two basketball teams (United and the 36ers) have had a current openly queer player on their rosters, to which Humphries said has become a “very comfortable” place.

“The conversations we have in the locker room now are very different and I’m happy I get to be that person to answer questions and share insights, it’s a safer space for sure,” Humphries said.

“My locker room is probably a lot different to other teams. 

“I feel very safe and comfortable, I know my brothers have my back no matter what and we’re very comfortable with everything.”

Humphries has seen change inside the NBL four walls. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Not only a former teammate of the Sixer but also a friend since their college days, United’s Marcus Lee, an ally of the community, says their friendship has been a safe space for both of them navigating the basketball scene.

“In these 10 years, what has really brought us together is basketball,” Lee said.

“You go through the grind of sports in high school and college, all the things that go with being 19, 20, and you need a group or crew to keep your mind level headed, and that’s who we were for each other during college. 

“And that’s what grew as we got older, we’ve always been that person to just be like “hey, I don’t need to talk basketball, I don’t want to talk about whatever’s happening in the world, I just need to talk” and that’s it, that’s the best thing that we’ve ever had.”

Isaac Humphries and Marcus Lee share a long-time friendship. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

With NBL’s Pride Round tipping off on Thursday night, Humphries reiterated the importance of a designated round within the sports space, with the goal to have people of any minority group feel that they can be part of the game.

“Not every code has a Pride Round and to know that the NBL’s willing to put themselves out there and honour my community and be a part of something special like this is very important,” Humphries said.

“People who feel like they’re probably not the most welcome in sport, know that they are.

“It’s just normalising it a little more, I’m the first to do it in Australia, the second in the whole world, currently the only active player right now so just a bit more comfortable and it’s not an unspoken topic anymore. 

“So there’s someone to talk about, an example right there. 

“I’ve been able to show a positive response, I came out, I had fears but I’m just fine, I’m thriving, playing good basketball, my life’s great.

“I get to exist as who I am.”

Originally published as Isaac Humphries reflects on his locker room experiences ahead of NBL Pride Round