Former NBA player John Amaechi has blasted West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins for making anti-gay remarks earlier this week.
Huggins used homophobic obscenities during a radio interview in Cincinnati on Monday, May 8. He referred to Xavier fans as “Catholic f**s” when speaking with Bill Cunningham on 700 WLW.
Amaechi, who came out as gay in 2007, has now slammed the coaching icon, claiming that he isn’t the first one in a position of power to use such a slur. He further stated that everyone involved in the discussion is “disgusting.”
“I don’t know the man — but he sounds like a dinosaur,” Amaechi tells TMZ Sports. “College (and indeed pro) sports are littered with them.”
Also attacking the sports show hosts, Amaechi stated that they “are also disgusting and to blame for egging this conversation on and calling him ‘the best’ after he said those words.”
“It’s hardly surprising that some people still think it’s OK to say these words,” he added. “As to whether he should be an educator (as a coach or otherwise), I would remind people that the vociferously anti-trans and anti-gay usually sit in a constellation where many other minority groups (including Black and Brown people) are also held in contempt.”
Amaechi who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz over the course of 5 seasons in the Association — has become a voice for the LGBTQ+ community since coming out, and has also built a career as a psychologist and professor at a Russell Group university.
Huggins has since apologized for his comments, saying there is no excuse for his actions. WVU is currently reviewing the situation.