That was the first time the two friends addressed Messersmith's sexual orientation. I told him if anyone has something (negative) to say, we've got his back.' 'We're on the same team, he's basically like a family member. Jallen knows that I wouldn't stoop down that low,' said Fisher, Benedictine College's point guard. Fisher almost immediately apologized, not wanting to offend his friend. Messersmith, who was fourth in NAIA in shot blocking as sophomore, recalled his friend and teammate, Brett Fisher, once saying a gay slur nonchalantly in passing.

Messersmith told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that he informed his coaches of his sexual orientation last summer before revealing he was gay to his teammates before last season. Messersmith, a 6-foot-7 college basketball player for Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., is believed to be the first openly gay active player in U.S. He still hears the 'you're gay' and 'that's gay' and other slurs. They first started in middle school when the bullying was so brutal that he decided to be home-schooled in 7th and 8th grade. Jallen Messersmith has been hearing gay slurs all his life.