Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed in a Sports Illustrated profile that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, months before his stunning retirement.
A line in Wojnarowski’s farewell statement in September read: “Time is not infinitely available.” As he told SI’s Chris Mannix, it was about his cancer diagnosis.
Wojnarowski underwent a physical exam in February and blood tests showed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was elevated. An MRI revealed nothing and a second PSA test remained high. A biopsy was ordered and in March it was found to be early stage cancer.
According to Mannix, Wojnarowski learned of the news just before he made 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 currently has no complaints.
‘When you hear it canceryou think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,” Woj said. “Prostate cancer is usually limited to your prostate and usually grows slowly.”
Regular checkups and quarterly checkups are in order for Wojnarowski, who was also told by doctors to improve his health by eating better, exercising more and sleeping better.
Although the cancer diagnosis was a shock, it was not the reason why Wojnarowski announced his sudden retirement as an NBA reporter and became general manager of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team, from which he graduated in 1991. waiting for news of an injured player and contacting agents late at night.
When he attended the funeral of former ESN NFL insider Chris Mortensen in May, Wojnarowski said it made him realize there is more to life than just being the source for NBA news.
“It made me remember that the job isn’t everything,” Wojnarowski said. “At the end of the day, it’s just going to be your family and close friends. And it’s also true that no one cares. No one remembers. [breaking stories] eventually. It’s just vapor.”
