Headlines
Irving Supports Former Gay Teammate
The next evolution of basketball news, information and rumors.
All posts by Basketball InsidersUpdated8 hours ago on April 20, 2024
Kyrie Irving strongly supported Derrick Gordon on Wednesday, Irving’s former teammate and the first openly gay player in Division I men’s basketball.
“I’m proud of him,” Irving said. “It’s a big step, not only in his life but in his career to get the weight of the world off his shoulders.”
Irving spoke to Gordon on Tuesday, but had no idea he is gay or that he was planning an announcement. Irving said he learned it watching television like everyone else.
Gordon is a sophomore at Massachusetts, and the two have been friends for about eight years, Irving said, including time as high school teammates at St. Patrick’s in New Jersey.
“I never had a problem with homosexuality,” Irving said. “Even if one of my teammates was a homosexual, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But to see guys in sports coming out now is part of life.
