Pledger Begins Fight Following Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Four-time NBL championship winner Alex Pledger will begin the fight of his life this week after being diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer.

The former NZ Breakers, Melbourne United and New Zealand Tall Blacks big man received the diagnosis afer nearly five months of feeling unwell with tests coming back inconclusive.

Plegder was admitted to hospital last week in New Zealand after becoming ill, with further tests revealing the diagnosis with the belief this could have been something he was battling for a number of years.

In a statement released by his management One Sports and Entertainment, Pledger said he was optimistic about winning the battle that faced him.

“Obviously this has been a shock. Early tests are showing positive signs and I’m feeling really good about our plan to beat this. I feel extremely lucky that this has been discovered at the stage that it has. I’m really grateful for the medical team, my family and the wonderful support I’m already receiving from the basketball community. I’m looking forward to the future and hopefully getting back on court.”

Pledger will begin radiotherapy over the next week, with his initial treatment plan expected to go for six weeks.

A four-time NBL championship winner with the Breakers including a three-peat from 2011-2013, Pledger most recently played with Melbourne United in NBL20.

The 34 year-old has been a regular representative for the New Zealand Tall Blacks, suiting up in the 2019 FIBA World Cup team.