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15 basketball players you didn’t know were gay

Originally published  by Ian S in March 2023 and Updated by Ian S in May 2024

Lately, the LGBTQ community is widely present in sports all over the world, with the majority of athletes coming out in the open to declare their orientation, unlike in the old days. These athletes previously kept their sexual orientation a secret out of fear of discrimination and prejudice.

Today’s sports community has learned to accept them. Since the beginning of their respective sports, several notable outspoken homosexual athletes have come and gone. Since then, a large number of homosexual sports organizations as well as competitions featuring homosexual athletes have been established.

Basketball has not been left out of the LGBTQ acknowledgement in major league sports, with several players also coming out. The basketball players who came out and publicly declared their sexual orientation have made it possible for others to do the same without worrying about being judged. Let us take a look at 15 basketball players who you didn’t know were gay.

1. Jason Collins

Jason Collins photo by Keith Allison –

Throughout his 13 seasons in the NBA, Jason Collins played centre for various teams in various teams. The Houston Rockets selected Collins with the 18th overall choice in the 2001 NBA Draft. He later played for the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets, among others. On April 29, 2013, he officially announced that he was gay, becoming the first male athlete still playing in one of the four major professional team sports in North America to do so. His story was published in the cover story of an issue of sports illustrated on May 6, 2013.

2. John Amaechi

John Amaechi photo by AmaechiPerformance –

John Amaechi played professionally from 1995 to 2003 before retiring. Amaechi competed in the NBA, as well as in France, Greece, Italy, and the UK. Amaechi founded his company Amaechi Performance Systems after retiring from basketball and began working as a psychologist and consultant.

Amaechi came out as gay in his memoir Man in the Middle, making him the first former NBA player to do so publicly in February 2007. Since then, he has been considered “one of the world’s most high-profile gay athletes”. 

3. Travon Free

Travon Free is an American comedian, actor, writer and former basketball player. Free played basketball while a student at Dominguez High School, where he was later awarded “team’s best player” by the Los Angeles Times in 2002. He amused the team with his humour while injured with a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery; this was the beginning of his career as a comedian. Free came out as bisexual in 2011 and later made an appearance on the cover of Gay Times in 2018.

Also Read: Unveiling the Inspirational Stories: 10 Most Famous Trans Women

4. Derrick Gordon

Derrick Gordon photo by Bryan Horowitz –

Derrick Gordon is an American professional basketball player who plays as a shooting guard played basketball for three universities, first for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. It was during that season that Gordon came out as gay and participated in his first game in Division I men’s basketball of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. When attending middle school, Gordon started to wonder if he was gay. Gordon told his family and teammates that he was gay in April 2014. Later in 2014, he decided to publicly come out, becoming the first Division I men’s basketball player to be out gay.

5. Isaac Humphries

Isaac Humphries photo by Tom Hagerty –

Isaac Humphries plays professionally for Melbourne United of the National Basketball League. He represented the Kentucky Wildcats in college basketball. Humphries came out as gay on November 16, 2022. Following the news, Humphries became the sole active openly gay male professional basketball player in a prominent league worldwide. He also made history by being the first gay player in the NBL and the first male basketball player from Australia to come out.

6. Uri Kokia

Uri Kokia photo by Orrling –

Uri Koki is the current head coach for Ironi Ramat Gan of the Liga Artzit. He played professionally as a power forward/centre from 2000 to 2019 switching his time between close to 10 top-tier teams in the Israeli league. He was named the Israeli Basketball Super League Most Improved Player in 2009. Kokia came out as gay on November 28, 2017, becoming the first male professional basketball player in Israel to do so.

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7. Marco Lehmann

Marco Lehmann is a Swiss professional basketball player who came out as gay with a youtube he posted on youtube and an article he wrote for FIBA.com. Lehmann stated that he had struggled to hide his identity of being gay and as he grew as a player, he was forced to live a double life.  He decided to come out as the pressure grew intense and he could not hide anymore.

8. Dalton Maldonado

Dalton Maldonado is an American high school player who grew up in Kentucky and gained national recognition when he shared his terrifying experience of intimidation when he came out as gay at a high school in Kentucky. His coming out gained national attention after being featured in Outsports magazine. Outsports named him “Person of the Year” and he was subsequently featured by the Magazine Out as one of the most influential people in the LGBT community in 2015. 

9. Will Sheridan

Will Sheridan photo by nathanmac87 –

From 2003 until 2007, Will Sheridan competed in college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team. He played basketball for Italy’s basketball league after graduating. Will Sheridan came out as gay to Mike Nardi, his teammate and roommate at Villanova, in private at the start of his freshman year.

A few months after his first year of college had concluded, he also came out to his parents. His Villanova teammates were aware of his homosexuality but chose to remain silent in the interest of team harmony. He came out in the open at the age of 26 on May 16, 2011, on ESPN.com, during an interview with Dana O’Neil.

10. Jeffrey Trammell

Jeffrey Trammell is an American public affairs consultant and higher education official. Trammell is a native of Blountstown, Florida, where he excelled as a sportsman, leading his basketball team to the state title and earning the title of High School All-American. He received a basketball scholarship to attend the College of William & Mary. He led the men’s basketball team as captain. On October 29, 2013, he wed Stuart Serkin in the US Supreme Court. It is believed to be the second same-sex marriage.

11. Chelsea Gray

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Chelsea is a basketball queen who dazzles on the court and inspires with her authenticity. Known as “the Point Gawd,” this WNBA superstar for the Las Vegas Aces was the 11th draft pick in 2014.

After an injury sidelined her rookie year, Chelsea shone with the Connecticut Sun before capturing her first title with the LA Sparks in 2016. Her skills truly soared in 2022, leading the Aces to the championship and earning Finals MVP honours. A year later, she claimed her third WNBA crown.

But Chelsea’s impact extends beyond basketball – she’s among the courageous athletes who have come out as gay, living her truth as an openly lesbian woman married to former player Tipesa Moorer. With her talent and authenticity, Chelsea is a role model and inspiration.

12. Erica Wheeler

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Erica is a star in the WNBA who shines both on and off the court. Despite going undrafted out of Rutgers, this resilient point guard for the Indiana Fever defied the odds to make her WNBA debut in 2015.

Her determination and skills have propelled her to new heights, but Erica’s impact extends far beyond the basketball court. She’s among the courageous athletes who have come out as gay, embracing her authenticity with pride.

In a heartwarming moment in 2023, Erica took her love to the next level by proposing to her girlfriend, Danielle Edwards, an assistant coach for SMU’s women’s basketball team. With her talent and bravery, Erica is a trailblazer inspiring fans everywhere.

13. Aerial Powers

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Aerial is a soaring basketball sensation who lights up the court and inspires with her courage. This WNBA superstar for the Atlanta Dream was the 5th overall draft pick in 2016 after a stellar college career at Michigan State.

With her skill and determination, Aerial quickly took the league by storm. But her impact reaches far beyond just basketball – she’s among the brave athletes who have come out as gay, living her truth as an openly lesbian woman.

With her talent and bravery, this rising star shines as a powerful role model on and off the hardwood.

14. Brittney Griner

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Brittney is a basketball icon and trailblazer who dominates on the court and inspires off it. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and 6-time WNBA All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury, this 6’9” powerhouse was the AP Player of the Year and led Baylor to a NCAA title in 2012.

The #1 draft pick in 2013, Brittney has continued making history, becoming one of Time’s 100 Most Influential in 2023. But her impact extends far beyond just basketball – she’s among the courageous athletes who have come out as gay, living proudly as an openly lesbian woman.

Married to Cherelle Griner, Brittney is using her platform to uplift the LGBTQ+ community and blaze a trail for those who will follow.

15. Diana Taurasi

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Diana is a basketball queen whose brilliance on the court is matched only by her boldness it. This Phoenix Mercury legend and #1 draft pick in 2004 has etched her name in the record books, becoming the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and earning 5 Olympic gold medals. 

With 3 WNBA titles, an MVP award, and a staggering 14 All-WNBA team selections, her greatness is undeniable. But Diana shines brightest as one of the pioneering athletes who has come out as a lesbian.

Married to former teammate Penny Taylor, she boldly embraces her identity, inspiring LGBTQ+ fans worldwide. A true trailblazer dubbed the “White Mamba,” Diana’s impact transcends basketball through her unapologetic authenticity.

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