“I leave with overwhelming gratitude for countless mentor and colleagues.” The NBA community has faced a double dose of heartbreak this year. Not even two months have passed since the legendary journalist Adrian Wojnarowski, affectionately known as “Woj,” announced his decision to step away from journalism, leaving fans shocked and saddened. Now, another wave of concern has swept through basketball circles.

In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, Wojnarowski revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This revelation has left fans and peers reeling. “Former ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has revealed he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Praying for Woj and his family 🙏,” read the caption of an X post that revealed the news.

The story started back in February when the renowned journalist went in for a physical examination. After several tests, nothing showed up but after a biopsy in March, it was revealed that he had early-stage cancer. Moreover, the hint that he has cancer was already mentioned in his farewell post. “Time isn’t in endless supply,” was the statement.

In 2022, only two years ago, Woj agreed to a new deal with ESPN. The agreement called for him to earn $7 million a year and get $35 million in five years. His deal was designed to complement that of Adam Schefter, another ESPN journalist. But the 55-year-old had other plans in mind, which can be speculated to be linked to this ailment. “I didn’t want to spend one more day of my life waiting on someone’s MRI or hitting an agent at 1 a.m. about an ankle sprain,” said Woj.

Back in September, the 55-year-old announced that he was joining as a general manager of the basketball team at St. Bonaventure University. The role of the GM included responsibilities like NIL allocations, recruiting, and helping the current coach of the team Mark Schmidt. Moreover, this was a memorable move for the analyst since he himself graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1991 and received an honorary doctorate in 2022.

Adrian Wojnarowski’s battle with prostate cancer is a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. His bravery in sharing his diagnosis sheds light on the importance of health awareness, particularly for men over 50. As fans and colleagues send prayers and positive energy his way, Woj’s story becomes more than just one of personal struggle—it’s a call for unity and hope in the face of adversity.

Fans flooded social media with heartfelt wishes for Woj

When news broke about Adrian Wojnarowski’s prostate cancer diagnosis, social media transformed into a massive wave of collective emotion. What began as a typical Wednesday afternoon quickly became a moment of profound solidarity, as fans from every corner of the basketball universe paused their daily rhythms to process and respond to the shocking health update with few followers not being able to believe this revelation. “That horrible,” wrote one fan, whereas another one wrote, “noooooo let this man enjoy his peace 😭🙏.”

One thing that was associated with Wojnarowski, was ‘Woj bombs’. These explosive insider reports typically shared on social media platforms like X, are characterized by their sudden, precise, and often game-changing nature. When Wojnarowski drops a “Woj Bomb,” the entire basketball world stops and takes notice however this time the fans were not ready for this bomb, as one user commented, “The worst WOJ bomb ever,” whereas another fan wrote, “Not the WOJ Bomb I was hoping to ever see. Prayers up for the living legend.”

While others were busy sending prayers to Wojnarowski and his family, one fan took their time to comment on something hopeful. “Hopefully the next WOJ bomb is that he beat it🙏🏻.” As Wojnarowski begins his health journey, he does not walk alone. Millions of fans, players, and colleagues stand with him, sending prayers, positive energy, and unwavering support. His story is far from over – it’s just entering a new, challenging, but potentially transformative chapter.