Retired Australian basketballer Andrew Ogilvy has come out as gay.
The three-time All-NBL first team centre made the announcement in an interview with Adelaide 36ers star Isaac Humphries as part of the NBL’s fourth annual pride round.
“There’s now a place for us to have this conversation, to be able to talk as openly as this,” Ogilvy said, asked about his decision to come out.
“If people want to talk to someone, people want to be able to ask opinions, ask questions, it gives them someone else to reach to.”
Known widely as “AJ”, Ogilvy made 218 NBL appearances and also played professionally in Spain, Turkey and Germany, where he won a Basketball Bundesliga championship.
Ogilvy spent the majority of his NBL career with the Illawarra Hawks, leading the side to a grand final appearance in 2017, one of only five times the foundation club has made the decider.
He retired in 2022.
Ogilvy revealed he had been married to his long-time partner for 18 months after the pair met while the centre was playing for the Sydney Kings in the 2013/14 season.
The 37-year-old said some of his teammates had been aware of the pair’s relationship during his career but felt he was never comfortable to come out while playing.
“I probably didn’t live my life as authentically as probably could have during my time, especially in the NBL,” Ogilvy said.
“Part of it was a view that it was just my business, but the world shifted between our generations, when marriage equality vote rolled around (in 2017), I was very vocal around that while still not publicly saying, ‘I’m a gay man’.”
While playing for Melbourne United in 2022, Humphries became the second active men’s professional basketball player to come out after NBA centre Jason Collins in 2013.
Ogilvy said Humphries’ announcement had given him courage.
“(It was) hugely beneficial to have someone of your stature and attitude be able to step forward and say this is who you are,” he said.
Humphries applauded Ogilvy for his announcement.
“It’s not about forcing or anything, it’s just a bit of visibility for a community,” he said.
“Everybody is welcome. Basketball is such a universal space and universal game, why wouldn’t we also celebrate this community?”
Humphries remains on the roster at the ladder-leading 36ers, who are aiming for a first championship since 2002.
The NBL’s Pride Round is being played across rounds 18 and 20.
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https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/ex-nbl-star-comes-out-as-gay-c-21386173
