What Pride Round Means to Humphries

Melbourne United centre Isaac Humphries – the only openly gay male basketballer plying his trade in a professional competition worldwide – has spoken about the signficance of Champion Pride Round. 

The NBL is the first male professional sporting competition in Australia to include a Pride Round in its fixture.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First of many! ???‍? <a href="https://t.co/zz4DtzJKga">https://t.co/zz4DtzJKga</a></p>&mdash; Isaac Humphries (@IsaacHumphries7) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacHumphries7/status/1617449492453928964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“If we are going to move forward with true equality, equity and inclusion in sport for LGBTQ+ athletes we have to start by getting honest,” Humphries said in a statement provided to ESPN. “We have to acknowledge there is a problem. The obligation is on all of us, no matter where in the sports power matrix we live.

“When it comes to inclusion I will always stand up and speak out when needed for my sport [and] for my community.

“I will continue to encourage us all to come together, respect each other, lift each other up, and I will use my platform to give voice to the voiceless.

“Each of us needs to ask ourselves: what kind of courage did we display when our leadership moment arrived?”

Melbourne United CEO Nick Truelson said the club is looking forward to taking to the floor for the first time in the round, when they take on the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday night.

“We’re looking forward to supporting Pride Round, as we believe representation and visibility matters – especially for our youth who need to know they are welcomed on the courts of the NBL.

“Our experience with what we went through as a club in support of Isaac and his announcement was incredible.

“We were empowered through that experience and the love and support we received from the LGBTQ+ community was fantastic.”