Che Flores

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Che Flores is an American referee in the National Basketball Association (the NBA). 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 a major professional sports league in the United States (specifically, the NBA).

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 a major professional sports league in the United States (specifically, the NBA). [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.