AMHERST, Mass. — As Derrick Gordon’s name was announced during the introduction of the Massachusetts basketball team’s starting lineup Friday, a spotlight swung around the arena, and cheerleaders waved their pompoms. The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” played. There was a loud cheer at the sound of Gordon’s name. Yet nothing signified the occasion as anything extraordinary.

At 7:05 p.m., the ball was tipped at UMass’s Mullins Center, and Gordon became the first openly gay athlete to play a game in Division I men’s basketball.

A day earlier, Gordon, a 6-foot-3 redshirt junior, sat in the bleachers after practice, fiddling with the rainbow-colored bracelets adorning his wrists. He seemed anxious to start the season, although he did not know what to expect.

There was one thing he was looking forward to, at least in his home gymnasium.

“I expect to see some gay flags,” he said, smiling at the thought.