Former NBL Star AJ Ogilvy Comes Out, Married 18 Months

For years, former basketball star AJ Ogilvy lived two separate lives, keeping his relationship hidden while playing professional basketball in Australia's NBL.

Now, 18 months after marrying his husband, Ogilvy has publicly shared his story in a heartfelt conversation with fellow basketball player Isaac Humphries, who came out in 2022. The announcement comes just ahead of the NBL's Pride Round this weekend.

Ogilvy played 218 games across the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks during his professional career. He met his husband while playing in Sydney and was with him throughout his time with both teams, though he kept those parts of his life carefully separated.

"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," Ogilvy explained. He believed that to succeed as a professional athlete, he had to present as straight and hide an essential part of who he was.

The pressure came from more than just locker room culture. Growing up, Ogilvy saw almost no positive portrayals of gay relationships in basketball or sports media. The message he absorbed was clear: being gay meant living a sad, lonely life. That belief weighed heavily on him throughout his career.

Why This Inspires

Ogilvy's decision to share his story creates something invaluable for the next generation of athletes: visible proof that you can be yourself and belong in professional sports. His openness, combined with Humphries playing as an out gay athlete every weekend, shows young LGBTQ+ people that the path ahead doesn't have to be lonely or hidden.

The NBL's Pride Round creates space for these conversations to happen openly. Ogilvy sees it as an opportunity for everyone in the basketball community to feel included, whether they're in the stands, watching at home, or dreaming of playing professionally one day.

"If people want to talk to someone, people want to be able to ask opinions, ask questions, it gives them someone else to reach," Ogilvy said. Having multiple voices and experiences represented makes the sport stronger and more welcoming for everyone.

Humphries called Ogilvy's announcement another significant step forward for the LGBTQ+ community in Australian sport. The visibility matters because it shows the full diversity of people who love and play basketball at the highest level.

Together, their stories are rewriting what's possible for LGBTQ+ athletes in Australia and beyond.