Isaac Humphries, the world's only openly gay male professional basketballer, admits he almost quit the sport at a time when he felt like he didn't belong.
But the 27-year-old now beams with pride at the thought of his presence in the NBL providing a beacon of hope for young players.
Humphries will suit up in the league's third annual Pride Round when his Adelaide 36ers host the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night.
"There was a time I genuinely was prepared to walk away from basketball," Humphries said at the Pride Round launch in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"I just couldn't handle not being myself anymore and believing that I just couldn't exist in the basketball world.
"That thought process and that journey would've been so different (had there been initiatives like Pride Round when I was younger).
"Would I have known as a little kid that that's me being represented? Maybe not.
"But as I grew into understanding a little bit more, I know it would've been very different.
"How amazing that I get to be that for kids now. It's just such an honour to know I am that person that they get to watch and know that they belong."
Humphries, then playing for Melbourne United, came out to his teammates and the world in November 2022.
There have been tough moments since, including negative comments received online following his announcement and the reluctance of some players at a rival team to wear a Pride Round uniform in 2023.
But Humphries is appreciative of the NBL for backing the concept, which is also supported by the league's apparel partner Champion, Pride in Sport and the Queer Sporting Alliance.
"The reality is it just is so important," Humphries said.
"When I came out, a huge part of the reason I came out was to help others and to be visible for others who maybe feel like they can't be visible.
"Days like today, Pride Round, any time you see a rainbow, any time you see a brand like Champion or a league like the NBL be so proud to be involved in something like pride is just a huge step forward."
NBL chief executive Dave Stevenson said the league is proud of its ongoing work around Pride Round in a bid to promote inclusivity.
"It's not an easy topic for people to get their heads around but we feel really excited about the responsibility we've taken on to educate more people," Stevenson told AAP.
"Not everyone's going to love it, and that's OK, but we feel proud to create an environment where everybody is welcome."
