Humphries "Overwhelmed" by Worldwide Support

After making history by becoming the first openly gay player to ever compete in the NBL, and the only openly gay player currently plying his trade in a top-level basketball competition worldwide, Isaac Humphries took to the floor for Melbourne United last night for the first time since making the courageous announcement.

Humphries emerged from the players' tunnel to a roaring reception from the Melbourne crowd before the action started, and fans in every corner of the stadium were decked out in pride colours and rainbow flags.

After such an emotionally taxing few days it would have been a relief for the former Atlanta Hawk and Adelaide 36er to get back to business as usual. Despite his current team falling to a hard-fought five-point loss against his former side Humphries put together a solid eight-point, six-rebound, four-assist performance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/YTMc5bzLKc">pic.twitter.com/YTMc5bzLKc</a></p>&mdash; Isaac Humphries (@IsaacHumphries7) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacHumphries7/status/1592644869121404928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was an evening though where the on-court result took something of a backseat for those involved with the Melbourne United organisation, and after the game Humphries told Melbourne United media how ecstatic he was with the reception he has received since his coming out announcement.

"I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve had," Humphries said. "Not just from my team and the community here in Melbourne and Australia, but globally. I’ve had messages of support from every part of the world, and it feels like it’s touched every bit of the globe.

"I’m very grateful I get to be a voice for people who don’t think they belong anywhere and I’m adamant you have a place, you can be yourself, I’m living proof, and all I can say is just be you.

"It's been 24, 25 years of me waiting to feel comfortable enough to come out and be myself ... it was quite literally a weight off my shoulders – I felt lighter.

"I just feel like a whole lens is off me, I don’t have to filter anything and I can truly be myself out there. I don’t do anything different, I just feel lighter and feel happier."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? It&#39;s been a big couple of days for Isaac. We caught him after the game to chat through how he&#39;s feeling and reflect on the game against the 36ers. <a href="https://t.co/DlKXfKolcE">pic.twitter.com/DlKXfKolcE</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1593424185178877952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The loss saw United fall to a 5-6 record for the season so far, and despite the impressive form of Rayjon Tucker to help United bring themselves back into the contest in the final quarter the clash was marred by an ugly incident involving an accidental head knock to captain Chris Goulding.

After laying prone on the floor following an incidental clash with Adelaide’s Robert Franks, Goulding had to be helped to his feet and off the floor by Melbourne’s medical staff, however he surprisingly returned to the game just ten minutes later after clearing concussion protocols.

"'CG' was never unconscious," Melbourne head coach Dean Vickerman said post-match. "He was aware of what was going on when he was lying on the floor the whole time.

"It looked like Lachie Barker in Perth for a second when he laid ther very still, but it was different.

"They (the medical staff) took him back and settled him for ten minutes. He passed every test he needed to pass.

"I was a little surprised when they said he could come back out and was ready to go, but when he spoke to me and was like 'tell me what’s been going on in the game' … he just wanted to absorb all the information."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The world has thrown its arms around Melbourne United center <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacHumphries7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsaacHumphries7</a> following his announcement yesterday.<br><br>Here&#39;s just a sample of the incredible, heartfelt messages of support he&#39;s received so far.<br><br>More here: <a href="https://t.co/O7SesZN9tI">https://t.co/O7SesZN9tI</a> <a href="https://t.co/hvoD7aOonu">pic.twitter.com/hvoD7aOonu</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1593068011262738432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

United have the opportunity to get back on the winners’ list this Saturday, as they look to take on a South East Melbourne Phoenix side reeling from back-to-back losses.

The sides last met just two weeks ago in Round 6, where a Goulding-led United won by 25 points.