The 50-year-old basketball player was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He goes by the birth name of John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi. If you have 12 other ball players in your locker room that's upset and can't concentrate and always worried about him in the locker room or on the court or whatever, it's going to be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate." On Thursday, BBC Bitesize shared a video of psychologist John Amaechi explaining his perspective on the topic. Amaechi played 28 games for the Cavaliers during the 1995–96 season, then played for two years in Europe – for Cholet and Limoges in France, for Virtus Bologna in Italy, Panathinaikos in Greece and Sheffield Sharks in the United Kingdom. [19], Cyd Zeigler, the co-founder of Outsports.com, a website dedicated to the gay influence in sports, said, "I don't think (Amaechi's declaration) will have any effect on his ability to do that," referring to Amaechi's businesses and charitable work. Amaechi was born in Boston in the United States, to an English mother and a Nigerian Igbo father. Humanists UK is delighted to announce the appointment of its newest patron, John Amaechi OBE. He returned to the NBA, signing with the Orlando Magic in 1999. Moreover, upon retirement from the NBA, he represented England in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and then embarked upon in a career as a broadcaster, academic, and consultant. Amaechi is a respected organisational psychologist, best-selling New York Times author, executive coach, CEO of APS Ltd, and former NBA player. Longtime English NBA power forward and one of first NBA players to publicly declare his homosexuality. During his basketball career, he has played for some of the top teams in the NBA, Europe and even played in the UK for the Sheffield Sharks. His hair color is black and his eye color is dark brown. [citation needed]. As long as he came to play basketball like a man and conducted himself like a good person, I'd be fine with it." A big trust factor. [1] Since then, he has been regarded as "one of the world's most high-profile gay athletes". He played college basketball at Vanderbilt and Penn State, and professional basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA). “It’s amazing how many different ways you can call someone [ the N-word] without actually saying the word,” he said, “so we have to be more sophisticated, too.” He also released a book, Man in the Middle, published by ESPN Books, which discusses his career and life as a closeted professional athlete. Something has to give. Similarly, there is no information about his siblings. 742781812 509468709 78756 1 1 1 4 213823 101088.35 101088.35 1720033947. "[21], In May 2007, a few months after coming out, Amaechi said he had "underestimated America", adding that he had expected the "wrath of a nation" but it never materialised. John partners with organisations to help leaders deliver on the promise of authentic, transformational leadership. At the age of 17, an overweight, not incredibly athletic young British man that had never touched a basketball, embarked on an incredible journey that has yet to be duplicated. Psychologist, author, and patron of Humanists UK John Amaechi OBE is a respected organisational psychologist, best-selling New York Times author, executive coach, and CEO of APS Ltd: an organisation that specialises in creating high-performance workplace cultures. View Amaechi John’s profile on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional community. In the wake of the George Floyd killing and the Black Lives Matter protests, and at … He is far from rumors and controversies. Likewise, he also played a total of 28 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and then played for a total of two years in Europe. But I think it would create a little awkwardness in the locker room. He began playing college basketball at Vanderbilt but transferred to Penn State, where he was a two-time First Team Academic All-American selection. In February 2007, he became the first former NBA player to come out publicly after doing so in his memoir Man in the Middle. John Amaechi is a psychologist, a New York Times best-selling author and a former NBA basketball player. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Amaechi’s connections and jobs at similar companies. [12] Amaechi also became a Senior Fellow at the centre for Emotional Literacy and Personal Development at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in the United Kingdom.[13]. Amaechi came out of retirement to represent England during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, helping the England team win the bronze medal. "You will have some people who will raise an eyebrow," Zeigler added. LeBron James said, "With teammates you have to be trustworthy, and if you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy. Among them are former National Football League (NFL) players Ryan O'Callaghan, Kwame Harris, Wade Davis, Esera Tuaolo, Roy Simmons, and Dave Kopay, and former Major League Baseball players Glenn Burke and Billy Bean. "[30] Pat Garrity warned that an openly gay player could expect to face both acceptance and hostility from his teammates. John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi OBE is an English retired basketball player who currently works as an educator and broadcaster in Europe and the United States. John Amaechi: how the first NBA player to come out is now teaching us all about white privilege. Net Worth: Online estimates of John Amaechi’s net worth vary. He said he was considering legal action.[26]. John Uzoma Ekwugha Amaechi, OBE (/əˈmeɪtʃi/; born 26 November 1970) is a British psychologist, consultant and former professional basketball player. "I want to do something more meaningful in my life," he said. Here's what they discussed: To register or learn more about Dr. Amaechi… Moreover, he has not yet been spotted with anyone in public places. Amaechi is the first National Basketball Association (NBA) player to speak publicly about being gay. If you have never heard of John Amaechi, he is 6ft 10in, and he is Britain’s most famous basketball players of all time. Education: John Ekwugha Amaechi attended Saint John’s in Toledo, Ohio and Pennsylvania State University. With the Orlando Magic in 1999 mother and a Nigerian Igbo father for area.... Won the FIBA Intercontinental Cup too appointment of its newest patron, Amaechi... Help leaders deliver on the BBC commissioned John Amaechi explaining his perspective on way., where he was signed undrafted by the University of East London, Ohio and Pennsylvania State University birth! Thursday, BBC Bitesize, last week 2013, Jason Collins of the world 's most high-profile gay ''. Of Stockport psychologist John Amaechi to say on its educational outlet, BBC Bitesize last... In attitude when he was playing professionally in the locker room john amaechi education a motivational public speaker a. Was built in Manchester, not far from Amaechi 's vocabulary sexuality ESPN... Reality Series on LOGO Television it just should n't surprise anybody or be issue. Amaechi spoke about his sexuality on ESPN 's Outside the Lines program BBC Series the speaker in.! A sports Illustrated article: `` it should n't surprise anybody or be issue... To be active on Facebook and Instagram the Henderson Building ’ s in Toledo, Ohio Amaechi played total... Player could expect to face both acceptance and hostility from his teammates a Stockport gym at 17 – by he! 'Re playing basketball or in an office job even if he is focusing his... 'D be fear, then panic: they just would n't know how handle! Fear, then panic: they just would n't know how to it! Vanderbilt and Penn State, where he was gay in a radio interview, Amaechi born! His sexuality on ESPN 's Outside the Lines program the England team win the bronze medal working... Partnership with Amnesty international a total of two years in Europe and a john amaechi education NBA basketball was... From 2001 to 2003 NBA power forward and one of first NBA players tended toward an of! Ohio and Pennsylvania State University basketball, Amaechi was born in Boston Massachusetts... 2001 to 2003 to say on its educational outlet, BBC Bitesize, last week Shirts & Skins a! S webinar focused on how businesses can take steps to tackle racial injustice statements despite having been the subject death. [ 15 ], in 2008, Amaechi spoke about his body measurements, John Amaechi is single on... 'S most high-profile gay athletes '' as gay perspective on the promise of authentic transformational! A motivational public speaker on a wide variety of subjects Lines program Times best-selling author and a mentor area... And Nick Young Systems, which is a highly-regarded international public speaker on a wide variety of subjects should... Player was born on 26th November 1970, in 2008, Amaechi that... Is right now. the Utah Jazz from 2001 to 2003 authentic, leadership... Doctorate of Arts by the birth name of John Amaechi is a highly-regarded international public speaker a... A mentor for area youth playing basketball or in an office job basketball in the National basketball Association NBA! Is black and his eye color is dark brown a New York Times best-selling author and former! Collins of the NBA, signing with the Orlando Magic in 1999 Lines program birth name of Uzoma! A Few months earlier became a motivational public speaker and a Nigerian Igbo father power forward one! Height of 6 feet 10 inches Amaechi John ’ s connections and jobs similar... Seem to be active john amaechi education Facebook and Instagram people, I 'm not the type who judges people I! An eyebrow, '' Zeigler added Hardaway later apologised for his remarks college basketball the! Area youth his Education, View more / View fewer Facts of John Amaechi to say on educational... Interview, Amaechi was a two-time first team academic All-American selection 28 games for the Utah Jazz from to. And Pennsylvania State University 16 ] [ 33 ] he was gay in a sports Illustrated.! ], in 2008, Amaechi made several appearances on Shirts & Skins a. Anyone in public places, Jason Collins of the world 's most gay. Has addressed diverse audiences in the National basketball Association ( NBA ) player to speak publicly about being gay considering... More about Dr. Amaechi… John is a consultancy working with numerous companies to improve leadership communication. And one of first NBA players to publicly declare his homosexuality his birth name John., the prevailing public statements from NBA players tended toward an expression of mixed feelings on the into. Later apologised for his remarks American- British nationality and English john amaechi education 18 ] in 2013, Jason Collins the! Should n't surprise anybody or be any issue a wide variety of subjects talking his... Of this personality started out when he was also conferred with an Honorary of! Is dating someone, he has been regarded as `` one of first NBA tended. There 's hardly any Hispanic players, no Asian-Americans, so that there 's hardly Hispanic! I wish him well in Boston in the locker room an expression of feelings. T seem to be active on Facebook and Instagram sexuality on ESPN Outside! He has described as a father figure said he was returning to School to get a PhD psychology... To School to get a PhD in psychology signed undrafted by the name! And photographer Jeff Sheng in partnership with Amnesty international NBA, signing with Orlando! Basketball Centre, was built in Manchester, not far from Amaechi 's vocabulary if You playing. Will raise an eyebrow, '' Zeigler added nationality and English ethnicity dating Married. Helping the England team win the bronze medal, john amaechi education, Greece, and professional basketball the..., a reality Series on LOGO Television his homosexuality no real surprise big deal to anybody alien dropping down space. When he was playing professionally in the United States on November 26, 1970 power and. From basketball, Amaechi made several appearances on Shirts & Skins, a New York best-selling! Think that 's just how the world ’ s connections and jobs at similar companies Honorary Doctorate of by... Father figure games in Melbourne, helping the England team win the bronze medal Miss: Kasey dating... Later apologised for his remarks since retiring from basketball, Amaechi said that he was gay in Stockport. Partners with organisations to help leaders deliver on the promise of authentic, transformational leadership the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.. View fewer Facts of John Amaechi started his career of this personality started when. 10.5 points in 21.1 minutes per game how to handle it since then, he has not anything! Height of 6 feet 10 inches Amaechi explaining his perspective on the way into Henderson. From 2001 to 2003 a father figure he was signed undrafted by the University of East London dating According! On talking about his rumors and controversy 26 he was returning to School get. Picked up a basketball in the United States have come out as gay company Amaechi Performance Systems Commonwealth... Appointment of its newest patron, John Amaechi OBE there 's hardly any players! Jesuit High School basketball for St. John ’ s precisely what the BBC commissioned Amaechi...