First openly gay college hoops player: 'This is the happiest I have ever been'

Instagram / Flash5Gordon

First openly gay college hoops player: 'This is the happiest I have ever been'
(Image credit: Instagram / Flash5Gordon)

UMass guard Derrick Gordon on Wednesday came out in an interview with ESPN, making him the first openly gay college basketball player in the country. Gordon said he came out to his team earlier this month, and decided the time was right to step forward publicly as well.

"I just didn't want to hide anymore, in any way," he told ESPN. "I didn't want to have to lie or sneak."

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.