Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed in a candid Sports Illustrated interview that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, months before his unexpected retirement. The news, which came as a shock to fans and colleagues alike, adds another layer of depth to Wojnarowski’s emotional farewell from the NBA reporting world.
In his goodbye statement from September, Wojnarowski wrote, “Time isn’t in endless supply.” As he shared with SI’s Chris Mannix, that line was deeply personal, relating to his cancer diagnosis.
Wojnarowski’s journey to the diagnosis began with a routine physical in February. Blood tests showed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, prompting further investigation. Although an MRI didn’t reveal any issues, a second PSA test remained high, leading doctors to conduct a biopsy. The results, confirmed in March, showed early-stage prostate cancer.
The diagnosis came just before Wojnarowski was scheduled for a segment on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.” Despite the initial shock, he maintains a positive outlook. “When you hear cancer, you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,” Wojnarowski said. “Prostate cancer, it generally stays confined to your prostate and is typically slow growing”, reported by the New York Post.
Fortunately, Wojnarowski has not experienced any symptoms and his prognosis is positive. He is undergoing regular monitoring and quarterly checkups. Doctors have advised him to adopt healthier habits, including improved nutrition, more exercise, and better sleep.
Although the cancer diagnosis was startling, it wasn’t the catalyst for Wojnarowski’s decision to retire. Instead, it was the relentless demands of his reporting job—particularly the long hours spent chasing injured player updates and reaching out to agents at late hours—that prompted him to make a change. In fact, his decision to retire had already been made when he attended the May funeral of longtime ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen. The event, he said, reminded him of life’s true priorities.
“It made me remember that the job isn’t everything,” Wojnarowski reflected. “In the end, it’s just going to be your family and close friends. And it’s also, like, nobody gives a s***. Nobody remembers [breaking stories] in the end. It’s just vapor.”
Now, Wojnarowski is stepping into a new role as the general manager of the men’s basketball team at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater. Though his retirement from the NBA reporting world came as a surprise, Wojnarowski’s health and personal fulfillment are now his primary focus.