Derrick Gordon: Don't Wait To Come Out

"Don't wait. Take advantage of everything that you have in front of you. Don’t wait because you’re scared. Don’t wait until you’re 35 or 40 years old and done playing the sport that you love. Because it’s stressful to live that way. I cried most of the nights when I was in the closet just because it starts to take a toll on you just because you’re worried about how people are going to think about you and what they’re going to say about you. Take advantage of it now. It’s going to make your life so much easier." - Recently out NCAA basketball player Derrick Gordon, speaking on Michelangelo Signorile's SiriusXM show.

Jason Collins & Michael Sam Tweet Congrats To Newly Out NCAA Player

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NCAA Basketball Player Comes Out

ESPN has the story:

Derrick Gordon, a sophomore starter for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, stepped forward Wednesday as the first openly gay player in Division I men's college basketball, sharing his story with ESPN and Outsports. The 22-year-old shooting guard came out to his family, coaches and teammates in the span of just a few days at the beginning of April. That's when he also decided to publicly acknowledge his sexuality. I just didn't want to hide anymore, in any way," Gordon told ESPN. "I didn't want to have to lie or sneak. I've been waiting and watching for the last few months, wondering when a Division I player would come out, and finally I just said, 'Why not me?'"

Gordon says he was inspired to come out by Brooklyn Nets player Jason Collins. He came out to his teammates last week and his school is behind him.

"UMass is proud to have Derrick Gordon as a member of our athletic family and to honor his courage and openness as a gay student-athlete," athletic director John McCutcheon said in a written statement. "UMass is committed to creating a welcoming climate where every student-athlete, coach and staff member can be true to themselves as they pursue their athletic, academic and professional goals."