Life

Isaac Humphries becomes first top tier basketball player to come out as gay

By Dean McColl

16th November 2022

Twitter [@IsaacHumphries7]

Australian basketball player Isaac Humphries has made history as the first active top tier league athlete in the sport to come out as gay.

The 24-year-old tweeted a video of himself speaking to his Melbourne United teammates about his decision to come out and his desire to use it as an opportunity to represent people who were struggling with their sexuality. 

“I know how that feels…You can live and you don’t have to hide,” he said.

He acknowledged that internalised homophobia led him to some “extremely dark times” and this had influenced his decision to be out on the court. 

LGBTQ+ representation in basketball was seen as “a negative point of difference”, but spending time in Los Angeles after an injury led him to see how “being openly gay can come with joy”, he wrote in an opinion piece for CNN.

Humphries is the first active basketball player in a top tier league globally to come out, as well as the first Australian male player and first in the Australian National Basketball League to do so. 

He has attracted support from across the basketball world, with the American National Basketball League tweeting, “We are 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 team’s coach, Dean Vickerman, expressed support and admiration for the player, stating that Isaac’s announcement would have a “massive impact on our community” and will give “people the opportunity to go ahead and be themselves”. 

Humphries’ teammates rallied round him after his emotional message. He joined the team in July 2022 and previously played for Adelaide 36 and Lakeland Magic.