PROFESSIONAL Athletes 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!
BASKETBALL
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 played for a number of WNBA teams including the Indiana Fever and LA Sparks. 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 currently plays for the Townsville Fire. Cox was diagnosed with T1D at age 7 and is a tremendous T1D advocate.
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. She has competes with both the Sydney Uni Flames and Townsville Fire 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 played professionally for Básquet Coruña in LEB Oro, Spain’s second division and 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!
JORDAN MORRIS
Soccer player, Jordan Morris was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 9. He competed for Stanford University before joining the Seattle Sounders, where he has spent the his MSL career. Morris was named Rookie of the Year in 2016 and has gone on to represent the USA on the men’s national soccer team. He also hosts soccer camps for youth with T1D through the Jordan Morris Foundation.
NACHO FERNÁNDEZ
José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias, also known as Nacho Fernandez, is a Spanish professional soccer player, diagnosed with T1D at the age of 12. Nacho spent the majority of his professional career competing for Real Madrid CF. He is one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid history, boasting 5 FIFA World Cups, among other accolades.
SAM FULD
Professional baseball player, Sam Fuld spent 8 seasons in the MLB. He competed for several teams including the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. Before his professional career, Fuld played for Stanford University. He was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 10. Fuld is now the GM for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a prominent figure in the diabetes community, running sports camps for youth with T1D through the Sam Fuld T1D Sports Camp.
MAX DOMI
Max Domi is a Canadian professional ice hockey who was diagnosed with T1D at 12 years old. Currently competing for the Toronto Maple Leaves, Domi has spent 11 seasons in the NHL with teams including the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes. Domi is very active in diabetes advocacy and is an inspiration to many aspiring NHL players.
BOBBY CLARKE
Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Bobby Clarke, spent his 15-year NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers. Clarke was diagnosed with T1D at age 15 and was one of the first athletes to manage diabetes while playing at the professional level. He was the recipient of the Hart Trophy (League MVP) three times. Notably, Clarke was a great inspiration to Chris Dudley, who was diagnosed while Clark was competing.
MARK ANDREWS
NFL tight-end, Mark Andrews was diagnosed with T1D when he was seven years old. He has spent his eight-year NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens and has been named to several Pro Bowls. Andrews is actively outspoken in support of diabetes research and advocacy, especially working with organizations like Breakthrough T1D.
CHAD MUMA
Chad Muma is a NFL linebacker who was diagnosed with T1D at age 13. Muma has spent four years in the NFL, competing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots. In 2026, Muma and the Patriots made it all the way to the Superbowl. An active part of the diabetes community, Muma worked with the Jaguars Foundation to host the “Muma Movement" event, which invited youth T1D to TIAA Bank Field.
NOAH GRAY
Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Noah Gray, was diagnosed with T1D at 18, while competing for Duke University. Gray has spent five years in the NFL with the Chiefs and has won two Superbowl championships, an example for all young athletes that playing at the pinnacle of the sport with T1D is possible!
JAY CUTLER
Quarterback, Jay Culter, played for 12 seasons in the NFL. Uniquely, Cutler was diagnosed at age 25, while he was playing for the Denver Broncos. Culter continued to compete at the highest level while learning to manage T1D. He also played for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008.
JJ SPAUN
Professional golfer, JJ Spaun, was initially mis-diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, before officially being diagnosed with T1D at the age of 30. Spaun became a professional golfer in 2012 after competing at San Diego State. He has been on the PGA Tour since 2016 and won the 2025 US Open.
KELLY KUEHNE
Professional golfer
FIONA WYLDE
Professional stand up paddleboard
RYAN REED
NASCAR