NBA Star John Amaechi Comes Out

Former NBA player John Amaechi announced today that he is gay. He's coming out just days before the release of his new autobiography Man in the Middle. In his new book he talks about what it was like being gay in the NBA, a league where players are expected to be heterosexual.

NBA commissioner David Stern responded to the announcement by saying,

"We have a very diverse league. The question at the NBA is always 'have you got game?' That's it, end of inquiry."

Is Stern admitting the obvious: That there are other gay NBA players who have yet to come out? Or is his statement a politically correct, pr-motivated response? Either way, Amaechi's annoucement is a perfect opportunity for the league to embrace its "diversity" and overcome the stigma of rampant homophobia in professional sports.

The 6 foot 10 inch tall Amaechi retired in January 2004 after a career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz and finally the Knicks.

Profile: John Amaechi
Other Gay Professional Players: MLB's Billy Bean
Out Lesbian Pros: Martina Navratilova
More Famous Gay People: Famous Gay Profiles

_{Image © Janell Bargen.}