Ex basketball pro AJ Ogilvy comes out: ‘I didn’t live my life as authentically as I could have’
AJ Ogilvy has publicly come out (Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
AJ Ogilvy has publicly come out (Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
Retired Australian basketballer AJ Ogilvy has come out as gay, saying he kept his personal and professional life separate during his career.
The 37-year-old, who played for the Illawarra Hawks for seven seasons and was a three-time All-NBL First Team selection, opened up about his sexuality during an interview with the National Basketball League’s (NBL) only active out gay player, Isaac Humphries.
The interview between the two sportsmen took place ahead of the NBL’s Pride Round, which focuses on inclusion and celebrating diversity within basketball.
“I’ve been married for nearly 18 months now. I met my husband when I was playing in Sydney, so I was with him for all my time in Wollongong and part of the time in Sydney,” Ogilvy said.
“While I was in Sydney, I kept [my two lives] pretty separate, but I also wasn’t super discreet about it.
“Some of the guys probably knew, but nothing was ever explicitly said.”
Ogilvy went on to say that he “probably didn’t live my life as authentically as I probably could have during my time, especially in the NBL”, explaining he had two different social media accounts.
“For a long time, I believed that to be a basketballer, I had to present as straight and not show this side of my personality,” Ogilvy said.
“So I had two social media accounts, one I’d use for my basketball stuff and one I just had tight friends on, where I would be more open.
“Growing up, there weren’t positive portrayals of gay relationships in basketball or media as a whole. It was more that it was going to be a sad, lonely life.
“That definitely weighed on me pretty heavily.”
Adelaide 36ers player Humphries came out as gay in 2022, which Ogilvy described as a “huge moment”, not just for the NBL but “basketball across the world”.
“Hugely beneficial to have someone of your stature and attitude be able to step forward and proudly say, ‘This is who you are’,” he said.
In turn, Humphries said Ogilvy’s own decision to open up about his sexuality would have a positive impact on the NBL.
“We’ve got a player who plays every weekend, who is openly gay and an ex-player now, who’s openly gay and married, who’s prepared to talk about this life and these situations,” he said.
“That visibility and acceptance are really important, and it continues to move our great league forward.”
The NBL’s Pride Round, which is now in its fourth season, takes place between 21 January and 1 February, and will see clubs’ inclusion-focused activations aimed at reflecting their local communities and showcasing that everyone has a place in basketball.
Commenting on the event, Humphries said “visibility is so important” and “that’s how things start to move forward”.
“Pride Round, to be playing in this league, to be so welcomed and accepted is just fantastic,” he continued.
“In our community is this undeniable acceptance of everybody, and learning to stop the judgement, accept people for who they are. It’s what it’s about.”
NBL CEO David Stevenson said in a statement on NBL Pride Round: “The NBL is an organisation committed to inclusion, acceptance and support of the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel welcome when they walk into our venues or engage with our game.
“Pride Round provides a visible moment in the season to recognise the diversity within our community, reinforce the importance of respect and inclusion across basketball, and continue meaningful education around what allyship looks like in action.
“This round is brought to life through the collective commitment of our clubs and players, whose leadership and support are critical in creating inclusive environments on and off the court. We also acknowledge the ongoing guidance of Pride in Sport in helping shape our approach, and we thank everyone across the NBL community who continues to play a role in making Pride Round meaningful across game days.”
Ben Cork, national program manager at Pride in Sport, described the NBL’s Pride Round as an “incredible opportunity for basketball in Australia to help unite communities, inspire individuals, and foster a sense of belonging”.
“LGBTQ inclusion in sport not only enriches the overall experience for everyone involved, but also strengthens our communities and the broader sense of togetherness and acceptance across the country. Holding the NBL Pride Round is a powerful message to Australia that everyone is welcome in sport, fans and athletes alike, no matter who they are.”
