In April of 2014, Derrick Gordon made NCAA history by becoming the first collegiate basketball player to openly come out as being a gay student-athlete. Gordon just finished up his 3rd season as a player on the University of Massachusetts basketball program, but because he has already graduated from school, he will be eligible immediately upon his transfer, per ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. Gordon leaves U Mass as a 1,000 point scorer who averaged 9.7 ppg in 65 career starts. It is clearly evident that he can play basketball, so I hope that he is able to get another opportunity to finish out his collegiate career.
“I appreciate everything that the coaches and my teammates have done for me,” Gordon said. “As far as me leaving, it has absolutely nothing to do with my sexuality. In fact, everyone could not have been more supportive with my situation.” “This is just a personal decision for me to chase my dreams,” Gordon added. “I’m trying to put myself in the best situation to be successful and I hope to go somewhere where I have the opportunity to expand my role and more importantly, win as many games as possible.”
UMass guard Derrick Gordon told ESPN he is transferring. Gordon eligible immediately next season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 24, 2015