Reigning Atlantic 10 player of the year Bryson Cavanaugh shocked everybody after he stated he would forgo his senior season with Fordham.
The school did not give a specific reason for Cavanaugh forgoing his final season, but Cavanaugh has since taken to social media to state he was going to be living his truth from hear on out after transitioning from female to male.
Why did you feel that now was the right time to publicly and officially come out as a transgender man?
“Well, I always knew I was going to come out to people eventually. It was only a matter of time before I did. I felt like now was the right time because I wanted to start living my life … I knew that once I started transitioning and taking testosterone, I wasn’t going to be able to play basketball anymore and I was 100% okay with that. There really isn’t a right or wrong time. It was a matter of comfortability to tell people.”
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In your Instagram post, you mentioned gender dysphoria playing a part in hiding how you truly felt. To those unfamiliar with the term, what do you want them to know about gender dysphoria and how it affects people in our society?
“Well, as I stated in my Instagram post, I did have gender dysphoria throughout my life. I remember when I was younger, I always wanted to be identified as a boy. I remember always saying I was a boy and would always be upset about it. I always knew throughout my years of playing basketball and living that I wanted to identify as a male. I would be so happy when people always called me “he.”
Never once was I upset by it. I knew I couldn’t come out as early as I wanted to because I was really good at basketball as a “female.” So, I figured I would do what I had to do until it was time for me to be myself finally.
I want people to know that gender dysphoria is real, and a lot of people struggle with it. It’s having discomfort in the sex you were born with. Many people can be in distress, get depressed and can experience a lot of anxiety, like myself. I know it is very hard for people to come out, whether it’s because of family and friends or not having the support in general. I just want everyone to know that it is okay to be who you are because, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the love that you have for yourself. You don’t need to seek anyone else’s approval but yours.”
Are you officially done with your hoop dreams now, or could we possibly see you play basketball on a professional level down the line if the opportunity presents itself?
“I am officially done with basketball right now. I can see myself coaching on the side from my job, and I know I will still work out the kids I work out with, but as far as me playing, I am done with basketball.”
He is now seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement.
The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 38.8 minutes per game last season.
