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Former NBA Isaac Humphries comes out: “I want to be an example. Help people by showing that you can be gay and be a top-level athlete”

Through a video on social media, the former NBA Isaac Humphries revealed to his teammates his homosexuality and the difficulties faced in the last few, which had also led him to think about suicide. The first basketball player to come out and wanted to explain his choice to ESPN as follows:

“Being a good example is the main reason I do this: I want to help people by showing that you can be gay and be a top athlete”

Currently the player plays in Australia for Melbourne United and the best blocker of the Australian NBL. The player has traveled extensively in his career from two years in Kentucky to College, the G-League to five games in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, passing through Europe to Australia. By coming out, he became the only active male professional player in a major league to come out as gay.

In his story, the player recounted the difficult periods of his life:

“A few years ago I went through a very bad time and very lonely. I couldn’t be myself and tried to take my own life. The main reason behind that attempt was my difficulties with my sexuality, with accepting the fact that I am gay. I hated it. I was disgusted with myself. I thought I couldn’t be that kind of person in our basketball environment.”

Only later, as he stated, did he decide not to hide anymore and the reasons appear very clear:

“I’ve always wanted to inspire someone, set a good example. I take my role in society very seriously and want to help people. I can do this by demonstrating that one can be gay and play top-level sports, especially basketball. If I’d had a role model, I certainly wouldn’t have ended up thinking that taking my own life was the only solution. I’ve learned that when you feel different and unique, and you don’t see yourself represented, it becomes difficult to think that there is an exit life and that you can exist in a place where there is no one else like you”.

The player first received the hug of his teammates and then also received the support of the NBA, who wrote:

“We are proud and grateful that Isaac shared his story. We know what an impact his honesty and courage will have on so many other people. Isaac has our respect and support.”

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