Nancy Lieberman Champions Prostate Cancer Awareness

Nancy Lieberman reflects on the impact of prostate cancer on her circle. In 1986, Lieberman broke barriers by joining the Springfield Fame in the United States Basketball League, becoming the first woman in a men’s professional basketball league. Her former teammate, Micheal Ray Richardson, succumbed to prostate cancer.

“I spoke at Micheal Ray Richardson’s funeral,” Lieberman mentioned. “We were teammates at a time when the WNBA didn’t exist.” Lieberman recently attended a WNBA playoff game between the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces on September 26, 2023, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Richardson kept his illness private, according to Lieberman. “He chose not to inform his wife, Kim, or his family,” she shared. Meanwhile, notable figures like Spencer Haywood, Alonzo Mourning, and ESPN’s Jay Harris have overcome their battles with prostate cancer. These experiences inspire Lieberman’s current message to men.

The basketball icon now partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Ice Cube, and the BIG3 league, advocating for the simple yet crucial PSA test. “You need to tell your doctor, ‘Check the box,’ even if they don’t initially,” she urges. This ‘box’ refers to a PSA test, measuring prostate-specific antigen levels via a blood test.

Lieberman emphasizes the importance of requesting the PSA test during routine blood work. “It’s essential to monitor the prostate-specific antigen levels,” Lieberman explained.

Additionally, she encourages women to motivate the men in their lives: “If you’re a woman, let’s remind our men: ‘Go to the doctor. Don’t be afraid. We stand by you,'” she declared.

Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, provides coverage on critical political and cultural sports issues with an investigative focus. Thompson’s work has been acknowledged in federal Title IX enforcement actions and cited by major media outlets like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and others.