Retired Australian basketballer AJ Ogilvy has spoken publicly about his sexuality for the first time, announcing that he is gay and reflecting on the personal compromises he made during his professional career. The 37-year-old said he spent much of his time in the sport keeping his private and professional lives separate, something he now views with mixed emotions.

AJ Ogilvy shared his story in an interview with Isaac Humphries, the National Basketball League’s only active openly gay player, ahead of the league’s annual Pride Round. The conversation offered a rare and candid insight into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in elite men’s sport.

“I didn’t live my life as authentically as I could have,” Ogilvy said, explaining that while he was not actively hiding his sexuality, he also never felt able to speak openly about it. During his time playing in Sydney and Wollongong, he maintained clear boundaries between basketball and his personal life. “Some of the guys probably knew, but nothing was ever explicitly said,” he added.

Ogilvy revealed that he has been married to his husband for nearly 18 months. The couple met during the 2013–14 season, when Ogilvy was playing for the Sydney Kings, and remained together throughout his later years with the Illawarra Hawks. Despite their long-term relationship, Ogilvy said the culture of professional sport at the time made openness feel risky.

“There’s now a place for us to have this conversation,” he said. “If people want to talk, ask questions or seek advice, it helps to know there’s someone else they can reach out to.”

Ogilvy enjoyed a distinguished career, making 218 NBL appearances and earning three All-NBL First Team selections. He spent seven seasons with the Hawks, helping guide the club to the 2017 grand final, and also played professionally in Spain, Turkey and Germany, where he won a Basketball Bundesliga title. He retired from professional basketball in 2022.

NBL chief executive David Stevenson praised AJ Ogilvy and his decision to speak out, reiterating the league’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. Pride Round, now in its fourth year, aims to promote respect, allyship and belonging across the basketball community.

Ben Cork, national programme manager at Pride in Sport, described the initiative as an opportunity to unite communities and inspire individuals, saying stories like Ogilvy’s can help create lasting change both on and off the court.