Derrick Gordon, UMass Basketballer, Comes Out As Gay (VIDEO) | HuffPost

WATCH: Gordon Comes Out As First Gay College Basketball Player (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post UK

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Derrick Gordon, a sophomore starter for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, has come out as the first openly gay player in Division I men's college basketball.

The 22-year-old shooting guard came out to his family, coaches and teammates at the beginning of April and has now announced his sexuality to the public.

Gordon posted his revelation on Instagram on Wednesday

"This is the happiest I have ever been in my 22 Years of living...No more HIDING!!!" Gordon said on Instagram.

".Just want to live life happy and play the sport that I love...Really would love to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for supporting me....I would also like to thank my support team Wade Davis, Jason Collins, Brian Sims, Micah Porter, Anthony Nicodemo, Patrick Burke,Billy Bean, Gerald McCullough, Kirk Walker...You guys are AWESOME!!! Ready to get back in the gym with my teammates and get on the GRIND and get ready for next season!!!! #BETRUE #BEYOURSELF #HONEYBADGERFollow"

"UMass is proud to have Derrick Gordon as a member of our athletic family and to honor his courage and openness as a gay student-athlete," athletic director John McCutcheon said in a written statement. "UMass is committed to creating a welcoming climate where every student-athlete, coach and staff member can be true to themselves as they pursue their athletic, academic and professional goals."

Derrick Gordon

Tennessee v Massachusetts(01 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen reacts while taking on the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Tennessee v Massachusetts(02 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Jeronne Maymon #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers goes up for a shot against Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Tennessee v Massachusetts(03 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen reacts from the bench in the second half while taking on the in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Tennessee v Massachusetts(04 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen reacts while taking on the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Tennessee v Massachusetts(05 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen reacts while taking on the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Tennessee v Massachusetts(06 of20)

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen goes up for a shot against Josh Richardson #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Massachusetts Minutement v George Washington Colonials(07 of20)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen reacts to a play in the second half against the George Washington Colonials during the Quarterfinals of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 14, 2014 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Massachusetts Minutement v George Washington Colonials(08 of20)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen goes for a loose ball against Nick Griffin #5 of the George Washington Colonials in the second half during the Quarterfinals of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 14, 2014 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Rhode Island Rams v Massachusetts Minutemen(09 of20)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen celebrates after a basket in the second half against the Rhode Island Rams in the Second Round of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 13, 2014 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(10 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Derrick Gordon #5 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wipes his face with his jersey as he walks off the court dejected after they lost 81-66 against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(11 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Derrick Gordon #5 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers drives for a shot attempt against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(12 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Derrick Gordon #5 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers walks off the court dejected with his head down after they lost 81-66 against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(13 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Derrick Gordon #5 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wipes his face with his jersey as he walks off the court dejected after they lost 81-66 against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Western Kentucky v Mississippi Valley State(14 of20)

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Derrick Gordon #5 reacts with teammates O'Karo Akamune #15 and T.J. Price #52 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second half against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in the first round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(15 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Anthony Davis (C) #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats fights for rebound position against Vinny Zollo #41 and Derrick Gordon #5 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(16 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Doron Lamb #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives for a shot attempt against Derrick Gordon (L) #5 and Kahlil McDonald #3 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second half during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(17 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Doron Lamb #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives for a shot attempt against Derrick Gordon (L) #5 and Kahlil McDonald #3 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second half during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(18 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Marquis Teague #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats attempts a shot in the second half against Derrick Gordon #5 and Jamal Crook #14 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Western Kentucky v Kentucky(19 of20)

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 15: Doron Lamb #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives for a shot attempt against Derrick Gordon (L) #5 and Kahlil McDonald #3 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the second half during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 15, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic(20 of20)

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 21: Derrick Gordon #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen runs into Michael Ojo #50 of the Florida State Seminoles as he drives to the basket during the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on December 21, 2013 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

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