Isaac Humphries, former Atlanta Hawks player, comes out as gay: All you need to know

NBL Rd 6 - Cairns Taipans v Melbourne United
Isaac Humphries comes out as gay (Image via Getty Images)

Isaac Humphries, an Australian basketball player who had a brief stint in the NBA, recently came out as gay. The 24-year-old big man revealed struggled with his sexuality and said that he even hated it. However, he eventually embraced it as part of himself.

"I've finally come to terms with this about myself and I don't want to hide who I am anymore," Humphries said in the video posted on his Twitter.
"I've decided that ...I'm going to come out publicly and just make sure people know that you can live and you don't have to hide just because you're an athlete," the former NBA player added.

Humphries has played actively since 2017. Most of the teams he's played for are in Australia, but he was also with the Atlanta Hawks a few years ago.


Isaac Humphries struggled with his sexuality

With his announcement, Humphries has become the only active professional basketball player to be openly gay. He has also become the first Australian and the first player in the National Basketball League (NBL) to come out.

In a video posted on his Twitter page, the 7-footer admitted that he struggled with his sexuality. At one point, he even considered taking his own life.

"A few years ago, I fell into a very dark place, a very lonely place," Isaac Humphries said in the video. "I attempted to take my life."
"The main reason behind me 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," he added.

The basketball star even said that he hated it and was disgusted with himself. He didn't think he could be who he is, especially not as a basketball player. Isaac even wondered if it was possible for him to keep playing basketball professionally.

Humphries has played professionally since 2017 (Image via Getty Images)
Humphries has played professionally since 2017 (Image via Getty Images)

You may be interested in reading: NBA star Jason Collins says he's gay

It appears that the professional basketball player is in a good place right now. He came out in front of his teammates and they all seemed to be accepting, which must have helped him a lot.


Humphries' professional career

Isaac Humphries attended Scots College in Sydney, but eventually moved to the United States and enrolled at the University of Kentucky. He declared for the 2017 NBA draft but went undrafted.

The big man worked out with several NBA teams over the summer, but couldn't land a job in the prestigious basketball league. Due to this, he returned to Australia where he signed with the Sydney Kings, eventually winning the NBL Rookie of the Year Award.

You may be interested in reading: Top 5 Australian players in NBA 2K22: Where does Ben Simmons rank?

The Sydney Kings were Isaac Humphries' first professional team (Image via Getty Images)
The Sydney Kings were Isaac Humphries' first professional team (Image via Getty Images)

After a year in his homeland, the 7-footer moved to Serbia to play for FMP Beograd. He stayed in Europe for a few months as he signed a training camp deal with the Atlanta Hawks in October 2018.

Isaac Humphries was waived by the Hawks, but he kept playing in the NBA G League. He had another shot with Atlanta by the end of the regular season, appearing in five games and averaging 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

After his brief stint with the Hawks, the big man signed with the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately, he hasn't played for the team since he was assigned to the Lakeland Magic in the G League.

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In 2020, the center returned to the NBL by inking a two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers. After his contract with the 36ers expired, he signed with Melbourne United.

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