Dave Joerger, who serves as Doc Rivers’ top assistant with the Sixers, is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for Stage 1 “head and neck” cancer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. He will be away from the team for several weeks.
The 47-year-old has been getting treated over the past two weeks and has missed just one road game. However, with the Sixers starting a five-game West Coast swing, Joerger has to remain in Philadelphia.
He broke the news to players, other assistants and staff members following tonight’s game in Indiana. Prior to that, only Rivers, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and owner Josh Harris were aware of his diagnosis.
“We have caught it early,” Joerger said. “I’m very lucky. I’ve got over a 90% chance of cure rate, but it’s very scary and it’s not enjoyable going through. …I can’t go on the road and do radiation and chemotherapy in different cities around the country. To continue my treatment, I need to step away from the team.”
During an appearance on Wojnarowski’s podcast, Joerger explained that he felt a lump in his throat 15 months ago and told his doctor in Memphis. A scan was negative, but the lump didn’t go away, so he called the doctor again last month.
“I stare at my face every morning when I shave and I’m very sensitive … that I know that (the lump’s) there,” Joerger said. “…We do another scan, and it’s one of those days that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We were in Toronto, and he texted me and said: ‘We need to talk. Let’s just get it done right now.'”
Joerger said he’s going public with his condition to encourage other people to pursue early cancer detection. He also thanked the Sixers for supporting him and allowing him to be away from the team for as long as necessary.
best of luck to him
I’m glad he was so aware of the issue even when the doctor said it was negative. Stage one is very treatable, I hope they can kick its ass this time around.
If only PHI was as kind to Ben Simmons allowing him to be away from the team for as long as necessary!
But what can you expect from such a horrible organization, right?
You sound like you work for Klutch. They never said Simmons had to come back right away they only wanted to be informed of his process and he failed to do so. Plus lets not forget he didn’t claim mental health until he started missing game checks. Its a failed tactic by Klutch and it only hurts his off the court value where he is practically universaly hated.
You sound like you work for the 76ers
And what diagnosis does Ben have that warrants him being away from the team? Even for your typical trolling posts, this reaches a new low.
You must live a very full and satisfying life to make daily comments about Ben Simmons on posts that have nothing to do with him. Show me on the doll where the 76ers hurt you.
Omg no one has been praying more than me right now. Everyone stop what you’re doing and just PRAY!!!