Former Illawarra Hawk Andrew Ogilvy Opens Up About Coming Out Journey
Former Illawarra Hawks player Andrew 'AJ' Ogilvy has revealed that an offhand comment from a former teammate served as the catalyst for his decision to come out publicly during the NBL's fourth annual Pride Round. The three-time All-NBA first team member, who played for the Hawks from 2015 to 2022, shared his story in a heartfelt conversation that has since gained significant attention.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
Ogilvy explained that it was former teammate and longtime friend Tyson Demos who initially reached out before the season began. "He was like, 'hey, would it be okay if I shared your details with the NBL around doing something during pride round?'" Ogilvy recalled. "So, I connected with them and it just kind of snowballed from there."
The former basketball star admitted he was particularly drawn to the idea of having a conversation rather than a formal interview, especially with someone like Isaac Humphries, who has become a prominent ambassador for the LGBTQ+ community in Australian basketball. Humphries made history in 2022 as the first openly gay NBL player while with Melbourne United.
Surprised by the Response
Ogilvy confessed that the public response to the video clip posted by NBL media exceeded all his expectations. "I don't really think I anticipated it being a big thing, which is going to sound naive," he said. "Since I've stopped playing and I've gotten married, I haven't hid any part of myself, and I don't think I anticipated an ex-player having the impact that this has."
This sense of surprise persisted even though former West Coast Eagles star Mitch Brown had made a similar public appearance in 2025, becoming the first openly bisexual AFL player. Ogilvy acknowledged Brown's story was significant but didn't initially connect his own profile with that level of impact. "I thought 'that's the AFL and that's why it's been well received,'" he explained.
The Moment It Became Real
It wasn't until Ogilvy arrived in Adelaide for filming that the magnitude of the situation truly hit him. Production members emphasized how significant this moment was, and people were being frank about its importance. "It hadn't really hit me that it would be such a big piece, so I guess that kind of rattled me a little bit," he admitted. "The response has been crazy."
The story quickly gained international traction, being picked up by media outlets in the United States and beyond. Seeing his story reach a global audience shifted something in Ogilvy's perspective. "It's obviously hitting home with the right people, which is what I wanted ... for people to feel welcomed and accepted and represented, even if it is by someone who is retired," he reflected. "It's been really really heartwarming."
A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery
At 37 years old, Ogilvy clarified that he hadn't necessarily hidden his sexuality but had simply never addressed it publicly. "I would never have come to the NBL and said 'hey this is what I wanna do', just because that's not my personality," he explained. "The NBL initiated a conversation and the rest is history as they say."
He met his now-husband during a one-season stint with Sydney before joining the Hawks, and he described his time in Wollongong as overwhelmingly positive. "I never experienced anything negative in Wollongong," Ogilvy said. "Whether we were just viewed as friends, or how it was viewed from the external, I have no insight into that. But, no one ever said anything to me. It always felt very safe and inclusive ... very always positive. I loved my time in Wollongong."
The Ongoing Need for Education
While celebrating the progress made in Australian society over the past decade, Ogilvy emphasized that there is still work to be done. He specifically addressed the New Zealand Breakers' decision to oppose wearing pride paraphernalia during the three-week celebration, viewing it as an opportunity for further education.
"As a community, we're about embracing each other and lifting everyone up, leaving no-one behind, so ultimately, you don't want people forced to wear a jersey that they don't feel aligned to," he said thoughtfully. "I know in previous years there have been players that have chosen not to wear it. I understand New Zealand have decided to do it as a team to pitch it as unity."
However, Ogilvy stressed that "there is always a space for further education and conversations around the importance of these types of events and why they've been implemented." He reflected on his own childhood concerns, sharing "those are things that I thought as a kid ... that if people know who I am then it might affect how my teammates treat me and that sort of stuff."
The former basketball star concluded with a message of hope and progress: "I think education is always the way that things progress. What you hope for as a community, is that there isn't a need for those big conversations where you sit down with parents and say 'hey this is me,' with a fear of being kicked out. I also think that the world has changed a bit for the better, or at least in Australia, since my time."
