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In a recent Sports Illustrated profile, Adrian Wojnarowski, the renowned former ESPN NBA i...
In a recent Sports Illustrated profile, Adrian Wojnarowski, the renowned former ESPN NBA insider, made a shocking revelation about his health. Wojnarowski shared that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer back in March, several months prior to his unexpected retirement. Opening up about his personal battle, Wojnarowski shed light on the challenges he faced while simultaneously covering the sports world. The diagnosis came as a tremendous blow, forcing him to navigate difficult treatment decisions while delivering breaking news and providing insightful analysis. Wojnarowski's revelation adds another layer of understanding to his decision to retire from ESPN in July, leaving behind a seasoned career in basketball reporting. It is evident that his health concerns heavily influenced this choice and sparked a profound desire for personal well-being. Despite the gravity of his health situation, Wojnarowski's determination and resilience were evident throughout his experience. Throughout his treatment, he maintained his commitment to his work and continued to provide fans with unmatched NBA coverage. While Wojnarowski's prostate cancer diagnosis might have come as a surprise to many, it serves as a reminder that health battles can affect anyone, even those in the public eye. His willingness to share his story not only contributes to raising awareness about prostate cancer but also highlights the importance of prioritizing one's well-being, regardless of their professional success. As the basketball community processes this news, it is clear that Adrian Wojnarowski's legacy extends beyond his reporting achievements. With his strength and bravery, he has become an inspiration to countless individuals facing similar health challenges and a shining example of prioritizing personal health and happiness.
A line in Wojnarowski's goodbye statement in September read, "Time isn't in endless supply." As he told SI's Chris Mannix, that was regarding his cancer diagnosis.
Wojnarowski underwent a physical in February and blood tests revealed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was elevated. An MRI did not reveal anything and a second PSA test remained high. A biopsy was ordered and in March it revealed early-stage cancer.
According to Mannix, Wojnarowski learned of the news just before doing a hit on ESPN's "NBA Countdown."
ESPN later hired Wojnarowski's former colleague at Yahoo Sports, Shams Charania, as its new NBA insider.
Fortunately, Wojnarowski has a good prognosis and he currently does not have any symptoms.
“When you hear cancer, you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,” Woj said. “Prostate cancer, it generally stays confined to your prostate and is typically slow growing.”
Regular monitoring and quarterly checkups are in order for Wojnarowski, who was also told by doctors to improve his health by eating better, exercising more and getting better sleep.
While the cancer diagnosis was a shock, it was not the reason why Wojnarowski announced his sudden retirement from being a NBA reporter to become the general manager of the men's basketball team at St. Bonaventure, where he graduated in 1991. He had grown tired of waiting for news on an injured player and contacting agents late in the night.
When he attended the May funeral of longtime ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen, Wojnarowski said it made him realize that there's more to life than being the go-to source for NBA news.
"It made me remember that the job isn't everything," Wojnarowski said. "In the end it's just going to be your family and close friends. And it's also, like, nobody gives a s—t. Nobody remembers [breaking stories] in the end. It's just vapor."
