Che Flores

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Che Flores is an American referee in the National Basketball Association. In 2021, they became the first official to work National Collegiate Athletic Association, NBA G League, and Women's National Basketball Association championship games in the same year. In 2023, Flores became the first out nonbinary trans referee in major professional sports leagues in the United States.

Life

Flores was raised in Highland Park, Los Angeles, the eldest of three siblings. [1] Their mother is Costa Rican and their father is Mexican American. [1] They played basketball at Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, winning a state title their senior year. [2] Flores came out to their family at the age of 19. [1] They played basketball at a junior college before transferring to the Cal State Northridge Matadors women's basketball. [1] They received a full athletic scholarship and served as the team captain. [1] Flores graduated in 2002. [2]

In 2003, Flores began referring high school basketball games in San Gabriel, California. [1] [2] They were working year-round for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), NBA G League, and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) by 2012. [1] From July 2020 to March 2021, they refereed championship games for the NCAA, NBA G League, and WNBA, the first person to do so. [1] They became an National Basketball Association (NBA) official in 2022. [1] By October 2023, they had worked ten championship games. [1] In 2023, they became the first out nonbinary trans referee in major professional sports leagues in the United States. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Carmichael, Emma (October 23, 2023). "NBA Referee Che Flores on Becoming the First Out Trans and Nonbinary Ref in American Pro Sports". GQ. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Ingemi, Marisa (March 1, 2024). "NBA's first non-binary referee didn't seek the spotlight, but they aren't hiding". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
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