RR Ralphie Report: Colorado basketball great Josh Scott comes out in social media post

[RSSBot]

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Scott has always been a role model, on and off the court.

Josh Scott, one of the greatest players in Colorado Buffaloes basketball history, expressed his full self to the world today.

The 31-year-old revealed on social media Friday evening that he’s “living openly and unapologetically” as a bisexual man.

A local recruit from Palmer Ridge, Scott was the program’s highest rated recruit in a generation and surpassed every expectation. The 6’10 forward stepped onto campus as a two-starter, a double-double machine who would average nearly 14 points and 8 rebounds across 124 career games.

Scott was a two-time First-Team All-Pac-12 selection, a one-time All-Defense pick, and most importantly led the Buffs to three NCAA Tournament appearances. (One of the great what-ifs in CU basketball history is if Derrick White was eligible for Scott’s final season, as the future NBA Champ had to redshirt after transferring from Division II UCCS.)

Scott tried his hand at NBA Summer League, but ultimately pursued a professional career overseas. He spent one year in North Macedonia, then headed to Japan where he’s played ever since. He’s been a staple in the B-League, winning the 2022 title as his crowning achievement.

In his coming out, Scott expressed himself clearly in his Facebook post:

“This is me-fully and unapologetically.”

Today, I am living openly and unapologetically as a Bisexual man. God made me exactly as I am, and I am proud of who I am.

For too long, I spent too many a dark time trying to fit into other people’s molds, shrinking myself to make others comfortable. I’m done with that. I refuse to make myself small to fit into spaces where I belong fully. God quite literally made me too tall to walk quietly through life!

Basketball has been my entire world for as long as I can remember. I have poured my heart, my time, and my entire being into this game. And I have been great at it—I am great at it. Striving always to be known not only as a great player, but as a great person.

Over the past few years, I have quietly endured discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and false narratives. All in an effort to protect my career, my family, my friends, my peace, and the life I worked so hard to build. I sat in silence, hoping that by staying quiet, I could shield everything and everyone I cared about.

But what I have learned is this: I can’t control whether the world accepts me. What I can control is how I accept and love myself.

I am the same player. The same person. The same leader. The same friend, teammate, and competitor I have always been. My resume speaks for itself. Nothing about me has changed! Except now, I live my truth openly.

What I have been through could have broken me. But it didn’t. It has been building me. They didn’t take my strength, my pride, my voice, my work ethic, my character, my values or my talent. If anything, they gave me a deeper passion and an even greater strength to overcome.

For every bit of pain and darkness I have experienced, I have found even more overwhelming love and support. Even when I don’t understand the journey, I know this: Light always beats darkness. Truth and love are more powerful than hate and fear.

To anyone out there feeling pressured to hide or compromise who they are—hear me. You are not alone. You are worthy. You are powerful. You deserve to take up space, just as you are. And you deserve to have it all!

I fully intend to continue my playing career. Though no one knows the future! I know I have had an amazing act one. And act two? I know will be great—if not greater! I will stand up, keep learning, keep teaching, keep coaching, and keep fighting for the next generation.

This is my truth. This is my life. This is me imperfect, whole, and unapologetic.

And I’m just getting started.

Scott was already a role model for those who grew up during his playing days. Now it’s even more important to celebrate him, his impact on those around him, and his openness as his full, unapologetic self.

by Sam Metivier
Continue reading...