Isaac Humphries Becomes The First Australian Male Basketball Player To Come Out As Gay
The 24-year-old, a former college football player for the University of Kentucky in the United States, broke the news to his teammates on Wednesday.
(Trigger Warning: This story contains details of mental health struggles and suicide, which could be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is in distress, please reach out to them with kindness or contact local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs.)
Isaac Humphries, a center for Melbourne United, made history on Wednesday by becoming the first active male professional basketball player from Australia to come out as gay.
He expressed relief at putting behind him the "extremely dark times" he went through while he struggled with his sexuality.
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The 24-year-old, a former college football player for the University of Kentucky in the United States, broke the news to his teammates on Wednesday in a video posted on Melbourne United's social media.
¡ª Isaac Humphries (@IsaacHumphries7) November 15, 2022
"A few years ago, I fell into a very dark, lonely place," he says to his teammates in the video.
"I couldn¡¯t be who I am, and I attempted to take my life."
"The main reason behind me becoming so low and being at that point was because I was very much struggling with my sexuality and coming to terms with the fact that I¡¯m gay."
The entire team at Melbourne United, according to Chief Executive Officer Nick Truelson, is proud of Humphries.
"Today is an incredible step in Isaac's journey, and we as a club wholeheartedly support him," said Truelson.
"Not only as a member of our club but as a person. This is a momentous occasion for him personally and male sport on a global scale."
In professional basketball, significantly few male players have come out as gay.
Jason Collins was the first NBA player to come out in 2013, but no other American players have followed his example.
Humphries' announcement, according to Pride in Sport, an Australian non-profit that promotes inclusion, was applauded. Still, the organization noted that it brought more attention to athletes' worries that coming out could result in discrimination, harassment, bullying, and "loss of professional opportunities."
Josh Cavallo, a midfielder for Adelaide United, came out as gay last year, making history as the country's first player in the male soccer league A-League.
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