Isaac Humphries says he is sad that his retirement from the Adelaide 36ers leaves basketball without an active openly gay player. The former National Basketball League co-captain retired because of a continuing knee injury and now holds a non-playing role with the club. Humphries said he was the only openly gay active player in the world during his playing career. He said he wanted to help others after coming out publicly in 2022, and described receiving messages from young people he had helped.
Adelaide 36ers centre Isaac Humphries has retired from professional basketball at age 28 because of a persistent knee injury. He said the decision was not his to make, as he could not change anything medically. In 2022, while playing for Melbourne United, Humphries became the first male NBL player to publicly reveal he is gay. He said coming out is his proudest achievement and that his legacy will remain. Humphries will stay with the club in a non-playing role, and a celebration of his career will take place in December.
Justin, Mr VicBears 2026, is hosting a community conversation this Saturday about what it means to hold a title. He says the role has shifted from looks towards being a voice for the community. Justin has spoken openly about burnout and wants to prepare future winners. He will be joined by four former title winners and a rubber community figure, who will discuss the ups and downs of competing and what comes after a title year.
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Reema El Qassem is one of the most promising players in the Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League. She is the first non-verbal player in the league and the first to wear a hijab on the court. She plays for the Sydney Uni Lions, who reached the national play-offs in 2025 and 2026. She acquired Functional Neurological Disorder in 2023, and sport helped her rebuild her life. Her disability does not fit the current classification rules, which blocks her from international competition.
GWS player Tilly Lucas-Rodd says AFLW Pride Round remains important while harmful attitudes towards queer people persist. Lucas-Rodd, who is non-binary, said the joy of the round counters the discrimination queer people can still face in sport. They said online comment sections, including on AFLW posts, show discriminatory views are being voiced more openly. Lucas-Rodd said they have seen how public visibility can help young trans and gender diverse people see a future for themselves. The round also coincides with Lucas-Rodd's 100th game.
