Hoops Player Comes Out: [PHOTOS] Jalen Messersmith Becomes First Openly Gay College Basketball Player [VIDEO]
Jallen Massermith became the first openly active men's college basketball player to admit that he's gay.
Massersmith, a 6-foot-7 shot blocking specialist from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. revealed on Wednesday that he told his coach and his teammates about his sexual orientation last season. He shared his story with Outsports.com, a publication that covers gay issues in sports.
"I didn't want to draw a ton of attention," Messersmith said. "I was going to be gay and have this side of basketball. I wanted it to be that I was still a basketball player who just happened to be gay."
The 22-year-old got a lot of advice along the way, especially from his best friend Bret Fisher, who said that there was a common understanding with his teammates.
"Everybody was cool with it and nobody said anything bad about it," Fisher said. "They know what's up and he is treated similar to the way we treat every other teammate."
Benedictine College released a statement on Massermith behalf, saying that they support his sexual orientation all the way.
"We support Jallen as a Benedictine College student and as a member of the Raven basketball team. Obviously, it would be inappropriate for us to discuss the private lives of students. As an institution we treat all students with respect and sensitivity," the statement read.
Massermith is not the only male athlete who has recently revealed that he's gay.
Enstars reported earlier that Robbie Rogers became the first openly active soccer player to play in a U.S. professional league game.
Rogers stepped onto the field in his first Major League soccer debut on Sunday with the Los Angeles Galaxy and received a huge ovation from a crowd of more than 24,000 people at Home Depot Center, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Also, Jason Collins became the first openly gay NBA basketball player. Check Collin's interview on Good Morning America below
