Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay player in Division 1 men’s basketball, will transfer from UMass, he told ESPN.com.
Chris Chavannes, who coached Gordon at Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick High School, told SNY.tv Gordon had no list in mind yet.
“I appreciate everything that the coaches and my teammates have done for me,” said Gordon, who averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. “As far as me leaving, it has absolutely nothing to do with my sexuality. In fact, everyone could not have been more supportive with my situation.”
Gordon came out back in April, saying he was inspired by Jason Collins and Michael Sam.
“This is just a personal decision for me to chase my dreams,” Gordon told ESPN.com of his transfer. “I’m trying to put myself in the best situation to be successful, and I hope to go somewhere where I have the opportunity to expand my role and more importantly, win as many games as possible.”
Photo: Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist for The New York Times
