Nancy Lieberman recalls the impact of prostate cancer on her friends. In 1986, she made history as the first woman to play in a men’s professional basketball league, joining the Springfield Fame in the United States Basketball League (USBL). Her former teammate, Micheal Ray Richardson, passed away after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Lieberman delivered a eulogy at Richardson’s funeral. “He was my teammate before the WNBA existed,” she said. Despite battling the disease, Richardson kept his condition private. “He didn’t inform his wife, Kim, or the family,” Lieberman noted.
Others, such as Spencer Haywood, Alonzo Mourning, and ESPN’s Jay Harris, have survived prostate cancer. Their experiences inspire Lieberman’s advocacy for the disease.
Lieberman, a former basketball player and broadcaster, is collaborating with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Ice Cube, and the BIG3 league to encourage men to request a PSA test from their doctors. “Ensure the doctor checks the PSA box,” she urged. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, and the test involves a simple blood draw to determine PSA levels. The “Check the Box” campaign aims to promote this message among men.
She urges women to support the men in their lives in seeking medical advice. “If you’re a woman, encourage your men to visit the doctor. Don’t be afraid. We will support you,” Lieberman advised.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, focusing on critical political and cultural issues within the sports community through an investigative lens. His work has been recognized in federal government actions on Title IX and cited by notable media outlets like The New York Times and ESPN.com.