Humphries' honour takes pride of place

Adelaide 36ers big-man Isaac Humphries has been recognised in this year's Australian Pride in Sport Awards, being named as joint Role Model of the Year. 

Humphries was also nominated last year, taking home the prized award at this year's event. 

In 2022, Humphries became the first professional basketball player around the world to come out as an openly gay athlete.

“When I came out about two and a half years ago now publicly, so much of why I did was for myself and my happiness, and not hiding anymore. But so much intentionally was for other people, arguably more for others," he said. 

“It was to be a role model, it was to help people, it was to be a positive experience for young people to look at, and someone that people can look towards as, ‘you can be a very openly gay male athlete in a top sporting code in Australia’."

A role model in his community, the 27-year-old expressed his gratitude in receiving the award for representing the LGBTQ+ community in one of the top sporting codes in Australia and beyond.

The NBL's Champion Pride Round, one that is close to Humphries' heart, is a round of inclusion for all to feel a part of a wider community in sharing the love for the sport.

“I’m very proud to be an NBL player and part of one of the major sporting codes in Australia who have a Pride Round. We have created the Champion NBL Pride Round which is an incredible initiative that we’ve been doing for a few seasons now," Humphries said. 

“I love the NBL, I’ve played in the NBL a very long time and watch it growing up, and to have it now be a space where so many people I love can come and feel included - and everyone can come and feel included - is very special.”