PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYERS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES
Did you know that there are a number of professional basketball players living - and thriving! - with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)? While Chris Dudley was the first person with T1D to play in the NBA, a number of committed athletes have been incredibly successful in playing for the NBA, WNBA and professional leagues around the world!
CHRIS DUDLEY
Chris Dudley was diagnosed with T1D at age 16. He played college basketball at Yale University before starting his professional basketball career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987. Dudley went on to play in the NBA for 16 years, spending time with the Trail Blazers, Nets, Knicks and Suns. Dudley is the recipient of the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award and USA Today's Most Caring Athlete Award. He continues to inspire young athletes with T1D through his nonprofit foundation and the Chris Dudley Basketball Camp - the only residential basketball camp specifically for youth with T1D in the world.
LAUREN COX
In 2020, Lauren Cox became the 1st person with T1D to play in the WNBA, as the 3rd overall selection in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Cox currently plays for the Indiana Fever. Graduating from Baylor University, Cox lead her team an NCAA Championship title in 2019. Cox was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year twice! At the end of the 2019-20 season, Cox received the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award. Cox was diagnosed with T1D at age 7 and is a tremendous T1D advocate.
Pictured here with our own CDBC camper, Allie F.!
GARY FORBES
Gary Forbes was diagnosed with T1D at age 19. Forbes played college basketball for the University of Massachusetts and was named Player of the Year for the A-10 League in 2008. Starting his professional career in 2010, Forbes has played for the Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Net. He currently plays for the Saigon Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League.
ADAM MORRISON
Adam Morrison was diagnosed with T1D when he was 13 years old. Morrison was identified as one of the top college basketball players in 2005, when he played for Gonzaga University. Morrison went on to play in the NBA for 5 years, spending time with both the Charlotte Bobcats and LA Lakers. Morrison also spent time as an assistant on the Gonzaga coaching team.
LARA MCSPADDEN
Lara McSpadden is an Australian professional basketball player, currently playing in her 5th season for the Sydney Uni Flames, in the WNBL. McSpadden was diagnosed with T1D when she was 8 years old. She also played for the Australia Sapphires when they won the FIBA Oceania U16 Championship in 2015 (New Zealand) and the FIBA U17 World Championship in 2016 (Spain).
ANTHONY GREEN
Anthony Green was 14 when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Since then, he has gone on to play college basketball for North Eastern University, been featured on ESPN's SportsCenter Top Ten, and most recently played professionally for Básquet Coruña in LEB Oro, Spain’s second division. Green recently signed on to play with the Norwood Flames, in Australia's BSA league.
Check out CDF's interview with Anthony Green!
ROB HOWE
Rob Howe was diagnosed with T1D when he was 16 years old. After graduating high school, Howe received a full scholarship to play basketball at the University of Colorado. Howe went on to play for the Washington Generals on their world tour against the Harlem Globe Trotters. Today, Rob remains a dedicated T1D Advocate through his company "Diabetics Doing Things".
Check out CDF's interview with Rob Howe!