“Chet Holmgren has not publicly come out as gay”. A viral post on X claiming otherwise originated with a satire account and was amplified across fan pages and groups, creating confusion hours before the Thunder’s game in Toronto. T
The claim, which was shared widely on Feb. 24, had no basis in verified reporting from the player, his team, the league, or reputable sports journalists.
The post in question came from an X account using the name “Jake Morrison” (@JakeMorrisonNBA). That tweet read in part: “BREAKING: Chet Holmgren has come out as gay. He is the first active gay NBA player…”
The account’s bio, however, identifies it as a satire account, a detail many viewers missed as screenshots and reposts circulated.
Because the post looked authoritative and spread just before tipoff, it quickly racked up millions of views and was cited by a string of NBA fan pages, many of which presented the claim without noting the original account’s satirical nature.
That pattern explains why the rumor gained traction. Social platforms often reward speed and engagement over verification; a single viral post from a seemingly credible handle can be recycled by pages and community groups, producing the impression of a confirmed story.
The effect is amplified on X (formerly Twitter), where blue checkmarks and fast resharing sometimes create a misleading aura of credibility for accounts that, on closer inspection, are not legitimate news sources.
BREAKING: Chet Holmgren has come out as gay. He is the first active gay NBA player and marks a major step towards the right direction. Holmgren plans to play with a rainbow armband to spread awareness.
— Jake Morrison (@JakeMorrisonNBA) February 24, 2026
Holmgren hopes this inspires other basketball players to come out. pic.twitter.com/rS8KjKGA2B
Importantly, neither the player nor the Oklahoma City Thunder issued any statement confirming the claim.
No reputable outlets or established NBA insiders reported the story, and no official confirmation came from league channels. In journalistic terms, the necessary corroboration, independent verification from primary sources or multiple trusted outlets, was absent.
From a practical perspective for fans, the timing made the rumor especially disruptive. The Thunder were scheduled to play the Toronto Raptors that night, and the viral post sparked a wave of searches and chatter that distracted from the on-court matchup.
Rather than meaningful coverage about Holmgren’s career, contract, or performance, social feeds were filled with speculation and screenshots of a satirical post dressed up as breaking news.
That is not to say social discussion around players’ personal lives is inherently illegitimate; athletes, like anyone else, have private worlds that sometimes become public.
But responsible coverage distinguishes between verified announcements and engagement-driven claims. In this case, the correct public record is simple: there is no confirmed report about Holmgren’s sexual orientation, and the viral claim traces to satire.
For context, Holmgren remains one of the NBA’s most closely watched young players. The 7-foot-1 forward-center was the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 and has emerged as a key piece for Oklahoma City.
He signed a long-term guaranteed extension in mid-2025, a move that underscored the franchise’s commitment to him.
On the court, his 2025–26 season numbers and matchup preparation are the kinds of details that truly matter to the Thunder and their fans — not an unverified social post.
The episode also offers a useful checklist for readers who want to avoid being misled by viral claims: check the origin of the post (is the account a known satire or parody handle?), look for confirmation from the team, league, or player, and wait for reporting from established sports journalists before treating breaking social posts as fact.
Blue checks and flashy language can create a false sense of legitimacy; taking a breath and verifying prevents amplifying mistakes.
The viral claim about Chet Holmgren came from a satire account and has not been corroborated by any credible source.
Fans should treat the matter as unverified and focus on verified information about Holmgren’s play, health and contributions to the team until, and unless, an official statement is released.
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