John Amaechi is the first NBA player to come out of the closet. The announcement was made on February 7, 2006 just before the release of his autobiography Man in the Middle.
The former center from Britain played for Penn State then went on to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995-96. After some time in Europe, Amaechi joined the Orlando Magic from 1999-01, and then the Utah Jazz.
In his later NBA years, John Amaechi was traded several times, ending up with the Knicks. He retired in January of 2004 after being waived.
The former center from Britain played for Penn State then went on to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995-96. After some time in Europe, Amaechi joined the Orlando Magic from 1999-01, and then the Utah Jazz.
In his later NBA years, John Amaechi was traded several times, ending up with the Knicks. He retired in January of 2004 after being waived.
In his new book, John Amaechi talks about the difficulties being gay in the NBA where every player is assumed heterosexual. Amaechi also talks about homophobic comments made by Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.
Amaechi stands at a staggering 6 foot 10 inches, weighing 270 lbs. His career highlights include:
- Named to the 1999-2000 NBA All-Interview First Team
- Scored the first basket in Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena, and the first NBA points in the new millennium on 1/2/00
- Tied for sixth in media voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award in 1999-2000
- One of only seven undrafted players to start an NBA game in 1999-2000
- More career stats
