A former star of the Oklahoma City Thunder has made a surprising announcement about a serious health issue he faced in 2013 that almost cost him his life. He revealed that he was battling a rare brain virus while playing in the NBA. This shocking story highlights the hidden challenges that athletes often deal with and the strength it takes to get through such tough times.
In a recent episode of the Run Your Race podcast, former Thunder star Perry Jones shared the terrifying details of his experience. Jones revealed that he had a brain virus that was spreading quickly in his body. He said, “I had this virus spreading in my brain, and then [the doctors] gave me like at least a week and a half. I probably had a fatal stroke or something. They called it like it was like spreading up from my airway to my throat like to my brain.”
Jones, the former Thunder star, described waking up in the hospital to see his mother and friends crying. He remembered, “I remember sitting in the bed. I’m looking at the TV… ‘Perry Jones isn’t here because of a toothache.’ I started crying. I’m in the hospital bed fighting for my life.” This health scare got worse after he had several injections for dental problems, which made his symptoms worse. He lost a lot of weight because he couldn’t eat, as the virus affected his body.
Even after this close call, Jones, the former Thunder star, returned to playing basketball at the start of the 2013-14 NBA season. However, his career took a turn shortly after that. In 2015, the Boston Celtics traded him but later released him, marking a big change in his career path.
Former Thunder Star Perry Jones’ Journey Full Of Challenges
The Oklahoma City Thunder picked Perry Jones, the former star, 28th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft after his successful college career at Baylor University. During his three seasons with the Thunder, he averaged 3.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game in 143 games. His best game was on October 30, 2014, when he scored a career-high 32 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.
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After he retired from the NBA, Jones continued to play basketball internationally and in different leagues, including the G League and overseas. Now 32 years old, he plays for Spartans Distrito Capital in Venezuela. People often wonder how different his career could have been without the health issues he faced early on.
Perry Jones’s story is a strong reminder of how fragile life and health can be, especially for professional athletes who push their bodies hard. His experience shows his strength and raises awareness about unexpected health problems affecting even the healthiest individuals.
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