Sport
Basketball
Location
United States
Diagnosed at Age
14
Key Achievements
- NCAA National Co-Player of the Year (2006) at Gonzaga University
- No. 3 overall pick in 2006 NBA Draft
- 2× NBA Champion (2009, 2010) with Los Angeles Lakers
Adam Morrison
Adam Morrison was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 14, just before his rise as a basketball star. He famously had to give himself insulin injections during halftime of high school and college games. Morrison went on to become a collegiate scoring leader and the third pick in the NBA Draft.
His college career at Gonzaga University was remarkable, earning him NCAA National Co-Player of the Year honors in 2006. Morrison was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and went on to win two NBA Championships (2009, 2010) with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While his pro career was shorter than hoped, he earned two NBA championship rings with the Lakers and proved that a kid testing blood sugar on the sidelines could still reach basketball's biggest stages.
"I wasn't going to let diabetes stop me. I might have to take a shot (of insulin) at halftime, but I could still play ball."
Diabetes Management Approach
Morrison managed his diabetes during his basketball career by giving himself insulin injections, sometimes during halftime of games. He developed routines for monitoring his blood sugar levels and ensuring he had the necessary supplies available during games and practices.
His visible management of diabetes during games helped raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes and showed that the condition doesn't have to prevent athletes from competing at elite levels.
Advice for Fellow Diabetic Athletes
Be prepared to manage your diabetes wherever you are, even if that means taking insulin injections during halftime of a game. Don't let the condition stop you from pursuing your athletic dreams.