NBL players have supported Isaac Humphries' decision to come out as gay to his team mates, saying it will help young players struggling with their sexuality.
The Melbourne United player gave an emotional speech to his team mates, telling them that coming to terms with his sexuality had led him through some "extremely dark times" but he was finally in a place where he felt comfortable coming out as gay.
The 24-year-old centre is the first player in NBL history to come out as gay, and the only active openly gay player in any of the world's top basketball leagues.
"I want to demonstrate that you can be a professional athlete, you can be anything you want, and still be gay," he said.
Fellow big man and captain of the Illawarra Hawks, Sam Froling, said having an openly gay player in the NBL would help younger players struggling with their sexuality.
"It is definitely a momentous thing," Froling said.
"It is going to pave the way for a lot of people coming through who might be young and struggling within themselves.
He said seeing someone at the top level of the sport be brave enough to come out would change a lot of people's lives.
"There are going to be some young kids out there I can guarantee who feel a whole let better about themselves this morning waking up knowing there is someone at this level who is the same as them," he said.
Melbourne United chief executive Nick Truelson told ABC News Breakfast Humphries had the full support of the club.
"For Isaac to feel safe in the environment to be able to make the announcement he did makes me really proud, and I know everyone at the club is so proud," he said.
Mason Peatling, Brad Newley and former Illawarra Hawks player Xavier Rathan-Mayes were among the Melbourne United players who shared the video on social media.
The NBL released a statement which said it fully supported Humphries and stood with him after his announcement.
"Isaac has always been a role model and leader," NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.
"He is someone we've always held in the highest regard."
The NBA also praised the Australian for sharing his story.
"We know the real impact his honesty and courage will have on many others,'" the association posted to Twitter.
"Isaac has our unwavering respect and support."
Froling, who recently returned from Kazakhstan where he helped the Boomers secure a spot in the FIBA 2023 World Cup, said the announcement would help remove the stigma around gay professional athletes.
"In the times we are in now there is no reason that they need to hide anymore," he said.
"The support Isaac has received from coming out has been really positive and I think he is a trail blazer.
"It's tough to talk about because there are a lot of people out there who have been suffering inside and to see that is pretty special."
