The British-born player, who retired from the NBA league three years ago, will reveal his sexuality in an ESPN TV show on Sunday, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

 

"He is coming out of the closet as a gay man," Amaechi's publicist Howard Bragman said.

 

Martina Navratilova, perhaps the most famous openly gay athlete in the world, today praised Amaechi's decision and said it is imperative for athletes to come out because of what she called an epidemic of suicides among young lesbians and gays.

 

"It's hugely important for the kids so they don't feel alone in the world. We're role models. We're adults, and we know we're not alone but kids don't know that," she said.

 

"He will definitely help a lot of kids growing up to feel better about themselves."

 

In his book, Amaechi describes the challenge of being gay in a league where it is assumed that all players are heterosexual.

 

He describes the blatant anti-gay language and attitudes he experienced in NBA dressing-rooms, and writes that while playing in Utah, coach Jerry Sloan used anti-gay innuendo to describe him.

 

The 36-year-old, who is of English and Nigerian parentage, grew up in Stockport.

 

He is publishing his autobiography this month, entitled Man In The Middle.

 

He moved to the US to play high school basketball and went on to play for professional teams in America, France, Germany, Greece and England.

 

Amaechi, who is 6ft 10in tall, came out of retirement to represent England during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last year.

 

England won a bronze medal for basketball at the Games.

 

Amaechi currently works as a commentator on NBA games shown on channel Five.

 

His other main activity is working for the ABC Foundation, which aims to increase participation in physical activity by building affordable, quality facilities and making expert coaches, respected mentors and educators available to all young people.

 

The charity built its first sports centre in Manchester.