Derrick Gordon on Friday became the
first openly gay athlete to play in Division I men's basketball.
Gordon, who came out in April, helped
Massachusetts defeat Siena 95-87.
“The 22-year-old, of Plainfield,
N.J., scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He made 11 or 12
free throws, including two with 18.2 seconds remaining that helped
seal the victory for the Minutemen in their season opener,” ESPN
reported.
“I went into it like a regular game,”
Gordon said. “I've been here before but it was good to see the
support I had.”
In coming out, Gordon told ESPN that
his “lie” had isolated him from his teammates.
“For my whole life, I've been living
my life as a lie,” he said, adding that he came out so that
“athletes never feel like they have to hide. You can be true to
yourself and play the sport that you love.”
Gordon told ESPN
on Friday that coming out had improved his relationship with his
teammates.
“They ask me to play video games with
them, eat with them,” he said. “We became a lot closer, and it
shows on the court. My game has gone to another level. I'm more
confident in my game; my shooting has gone up as well. I'm ready to
show the whole world that I'm the complete package.”