Derrick Gordon Is The First Openly Gay Player In Division I

Derrick Gordon Is The First Openly Gay Player In Division I

Derrick Gordon, guard for the University of Massachusetts became the first openly gay basketball player in the history of Division I men’s basketball this Wednesday. The young player made the announcement today after coming out to his friends, family and teammates a couple of days ago.

Gordon said during his interview that he is more than happy, with a huge weight being lifted off his shoulders. He added that he can now “live happily” after telling all the people important to him. Gordon who has an average of 9.4 point and 3.5 rebounds a game this season told reporters that he isolated himself at the Massachusetts team because he always felt he was hiding something.

Gordon also said that during his lowest period he thought of actually quitting the sport because all he wanted to do was “distance himself and hide.” Gordon added that basketball kept him out of trouble when growing up in a “bad neighborhood.”

The young player said that he was inspired when former NBA player Jason Collins and NFL prospect Michael Sam came out. While waiting for someone else to come out and be the first gay player in Division I, Gordon found the courage to come out himself.

Gordon said the announcement meeting with his teammates was an unexpectedly short one, with the entire team proclaiming their full support for the young guard.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Friday April 11 2014, 6:19 AM EST. Ref: latimes. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0