Andrew Bogut blasts Tracey Holmes over transgender Women’s NBL1 South basketball player

Former NBA star Andrew Bogut has slammed journalist Tracey Holmes after she took him to task over his comments on the possibility of a transgender woman competing in an Australian women’s basketball league.

Bogut took to social media this week to express his disgust over news that Basketball Victoria could approve an application for the transgender athlete to compete in the NBL1 South women’s league this season.

‘Word is NBL1 South Women will have a biological Male playing this upcoming season. Are you ok with sacrificing the sanctity of Female Sport in the name of ‘inclusion’?,’ he wrote.

‘#GirlDads where are you? The hashtag is trendy until action is needed.’

It quickly ignited a storm of controversy, with many sports stars and fans labelling him ‘transphobic’.

ABC journalist Tracey Holmes (pictured with husband Stan Grant), who was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Sports Commission Media Awards, took to Twitter on Wednesday to comment on the transgender issue

Bogut, who is a part owner of the group that owns the Sydney Flames, was quick to return fire

ABC journalist Tracey Holmes, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Sports Commission Media Awards on Wednesday, criticised Bogut in a sarcastic Twitter message insinuating he only takes an interest in female athletes when it suits his preconceived agenda.

‘I had no idea Andrew Bogut had such a strong interest in women’s sport,’ she wrote.

Bogut was quick to return fire.

‘At least you admit you have no idea @TraceyLeeHolmes………That’s why you are a main stay in mainstream media. 

‘If you did some research you would learn that I am part of the fantastic ownership group that owns the @TheSydneyFlames, along with the @SydneyKings,’ he wrote.

Bogut’s followers were quick to acknowledge the former NBA championship winner’s retort. 

‘You’re a legend @andrewbogut keeping it real in this crazy world,’ replied one twitter user

‘If only Tracey did some journalisming,’ said another.

Bogut’s followers were quick to acknowledge the former NBA championship winner’s twitter slam-dunk

‘Ohhh Tracy you’ve just been smashed over the fence for 6…. Now off you go ta ta,’ commented a third.

But Holmes, an immensely popular figure in women’s sport, had plenty of supporters of her own who were appalled with the outspoken basketballer’s comments. 

‘So you’re a rich bigot, ‘I Own’ what a hero’, one wrote, with another commenting: ‘Andrew doesn’t give a s**t about women’s sports. He’s just terrified of transpeople. Been tweeting anti trans s**t for years’. 

It is not the first time Bogut has had an issue with Holmes.

In 2018, Bogut blasted the ABC and Holmes for their reporting of the Australia-Philippines World Cup qualifier that ended up in a wild brawl, accusing them of printing ‘blatant lies’.

Bogut’s comments over the transgender issue have ignited a storm of controversy, with top female basketballers like Chloe Bibby, Saraid Taylor, Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle incensed at Bogut speaking for them when they support having a female transgender player compete in the league.

In 2018, Bogut blasted the ABC and Holmes for their reporting of the Australia-Philippines World Cup qualifier that ended up in a wild brawl, accusing them of printing ‘blatant lies’

Opals great Michelle Timms threw her support behind the players, saying she’d have ‘no problem at all with it’ before NBL great Andrew Gaze also voiced his approval of the idea.

Bogut has also received a lot of support for his recent comments from high-profile, controversial Aussie athletes.

Ex-NRL star Josh Dugan commented ‘Well said’ on Bogut’s video, while tennis’ Nick Kyrgios indicated his support of the NBA champion’s spat with Maley on the topic with a crying laughing face emoji. 

‘Bra Boy’ Koby Abberton was another to publicly get behind Bogut’s thoughts.

The NBL1 South season kicks off on April 1.