Derrick Gordon to Become Firefighter Instead of Pursuing Pro Basketball

Derrick Gordon—the first openly gay player in major men's college basketball—announced Saturday that he intends to become a firefighter rather than pursue a professional basketball career.

Gordon made the news public with the following tweet:

The New Jersey native enjoyed stops at Western Kentucky, Massachusetts and Seton Hall during his collegiate career.

He averaged eight points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a graduate transfer senior for Seton Hall last season and helped the Pirates return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005-06. He was also the first player to compete in the NCAA tournament with three different teams.

Gordon also addressed the decision on his Instagram account:

An NBA career was unlikely for Gordon after he shot just 41.1 percent from the field and averaged 9.7 points per game in 134 college contests, but opportunities may have been available to him overseas.

Rather than going in that direction, though, Gordon has opted for a line of work in which he can help people, which is fitting considering how many he likely inspired by becoming a trailblazer as an openly gay athlete.

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