[ot-caption title=”Massachusetts guard Derrick Gordon (2) made the announcement on ESPN on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, becoming the first openly gay player in Division I men’s basketball. (AP Photo/Ty Wright, File)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fsws.jpg”]

This weekend, University of Massachusetts guard Derrick Gordon became the first ever openly gay Division I men’s basketball player to compete in a contest. Not only did Gordon simply play, but the 22-year-old also scored 17 points and brought down 9 rebounds. He sunk 11 out of his 12 attempted free throws, including two that would seal the win for the Minutemen in their season opener against the Siena College Saints.

“I went into it like a regular game,” said Gordon, “I’ve been here before, but it was good to see the support I had.”

In April, Gordon conducted an interview with ESPN in which he announced he is gay, becoming the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player. “I’m just so happy and excited to finally put this out there,” said Gordon, “I’ve lived my life hiding behind someone I wasn’t. I wasn’t really that close to anybody on this team because there was something I had to hide.”

Prior to Friday’s contest against Siena, Gordon commented on the status of his relationship with his teammates and how it has only progressed. “They ask me to play video games with them, eat with them,” Gordon said, “We became a lot closer, and it shows on the court. My game has gone to another level. I’m more confident in my game; my shooting has gone up as well. I’m ready to show the whole world that I’m the complete package.”

In the crowd at the game was Derrick’s twin brother Darryl, who had been recently released from prison after serving over five years for attempted murder. Said Derrick, “I held back the tears. I haven’t seen my brother since he’s been out. It was good to see my family sitting in that section. It’s been something I’ve been dreaming about.”

Gordon received a tremendous amount of support at the game, as students chanted his name while he was at the free throw line. One group even held up a sign with Gordon’s jersey number and the hashtag #BETRUE in rainbow-colored letters.

The Minutemen will be looking to make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance this season with Gordon being a key factor to the team’s success.

Sources: ESPN