Junior forward Jallen Messersmith of Benedictine College announced on Wednesday that he was gay. His announcement makes him the first active U.S. men's college basketball player to come out, the L.A. Times reports.
Messersmith plays basketball for the Benedictine College Raven team in Atchison, Kan. He said he wanted to come out to help pave the way for other gay athletes in college sports.
"When I started coming out, I didn't have anyone to look to for advice or to see how their story went," Messersmith told Outsports.com. "People can look to see what happened to me -- and there are positive things going on."
Messersmith first told his coach last summer that he was gay, and he later told his teammates before the season began. No one on the team was bothered by it.
"He's a very outgoing player, and if you need an example of a hustler, it's him," teammate Brett Fisher told reporters. "He's doing the dirty work for the team. He's getting blocks on defense, he's getting every rebound. We like him on the team."
Benedictine College, a Catholic school, on Wednesday issued a statement.
"We support Jallen as a Benedictine College student and as a member of the Raven basketball team," the statement read. "Obviously, it would be inappropriate for us to discuss the private lives of students. As an institution we treat all students with respect and sensitivity."
Messersmith led the team with 53 blocked shots and averaged 4.9 points per game. The Ravens finished last season 18-12.
"You've got to be comfortable with yourself," Messersmith said. "I wasn't very comfortable with myself for a long time and then when I was, if you put off the confidence and you are 100% comfortable when you tell someone, they will support you.
"They can't, as much as they can try, drag you down. It's all about you. It's what you think. If you are comfortable with yourself, you can do anything."
Messersmith is the latest active athlete to come out. MLS player Robbie Rogers came out in February and NBA player Jason Collins came out in April.
