Sometimes life deals you cards that tell your story for you,
Isaac Humphries said as he announced his retirement at age 28. The Adelaide 36ers centre cited an ongoing knee injury that kept him off the court this season, ending an 173-game NBL career that included historic milestones.
Sometimes life deals you cards that tell your story for you, and due to my continued knee injury I’ve had to make the incredibly difficult decision to retire,
Humphries wrote in an emotional farewell shared on Instagram.
His announcement ended an eight-season NBL career spanning 173 total appearances across multiple franchises.
Isaac Humphries Moves From Sydney And Kentucky To The NBL
Born in Sydney, Humphries built a junior resume before heading to the United States to play college basketball for the University of Kentucky.
He broke into the National Basketball League with the Sydney Kings during the 2017-18 campaign, earning the league’s Rookie of the Year award.
His early professional path also included stints overseas in the United States, featuring for the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic in the NBA. Upon returning to domestic competition, the 211cm centre represented Melbourne United for a single season before settling in with the Adelaide 36ers for his most enduring club tenure.
Adelaide 36ers Tenure And International Duty With The Boomers
Humphries played 124 games for Adelaide across two stints, establishing himself as one of the competition’s premier big men when healthy.
His standout campaign arrived during the NBL24 season, where he averaged 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, claiming the club’s Mark Davis Trophy as MVP.
A degenerative knee injury has forced veteran centre Isaac Humphries to prematurely retire from basketball in just his sixth NBL season at age 28.DETAILS 👉 https://t.co/Siph8oA1xE pic.twitter.com/SVshcLodbi
The club appointed him co-captain for the NBL26 campaign in recognition of his leadership on and off the hardwood. Alongside his domestic success, Humphries represented the Australian national team, featuring for the Boomers during the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Isaac Humphries Advocates for LGBTQI+ Rights
In November 2022, while playing for Melbourne United, he made global sports history. He made global headlines by publicly coming out as gay.
He became the only openly gay active player in a top-tier professional men’s basketball league at that time.
Beyond his impact on the court, Isaac has used his platform to advocate strongly for LGBTQI+ rights and mental health awareness, making a meaningful difference in the wider community.
Grant Kelley, Adelaide 36ers Executive Chairman
In the years following his announcement, Humphries became a central figure in championing the league’s Pride Round and worked alongside mental health initiatives and suicide prevention campaigns. In January, he provided public support when retired Australian player Andrew Ogilvy also came out as gay.
Transition To A Non-Playing Role With Adelaide
Persistent knee trouble kept him sidelined for the entirety of Adelaide’s current campaign.
Humphries will remain tied to the organization as the veteran centre has accepted a non-playing role dedicated to supporting the community, marketing, and commercial teams.
As he steps away from competitive play, Humphries leaves behind a uniform that became a symbol of inclusion across the sport.
It’s not exactly a goodbye, but maybe an until I see you soon. So for now, and from your number 8, thank you.
Isaac Humphries, Adelaide 36ers Centre