March Madness and Type 1 Diabetes: Athletes Defying the Odds

However, for athletes living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the challenge extends beyond the game itself — they must also navigate blood sugar management, insulin dosing, and the physical toll of elite competition. 

These basketball stars didn’t let T1D stop them from competing at the highest level, proving that diabetes is just another opponent to outmaneuver.

Understanding March Madness

March Madness officially begins on Selection Sunday (March 16, 2025), when the NCAA unveils the 68-team bracket. The tournament is then divided into several rounds, leading up to the National Championship game on April 7. 

Now, let's shine a spotlight on college basketball players managing T1D who continue to defy expectations on the court.

College Basketball Players with T1D

Shelomi Sanders – Quick and Strategic Guard

Shelomi Sanders, daughter of football legend Deion Sanders, has made a name for herself at Alabama A&M University. Diagnosed with T1D at 13, she has balanced the challenges of managing diabetes while competing at the collegiate level.

“I just remember there are other people like me out there going through this right now. They're not giving up, so I'm not going to give up.” Sanders told People.

As a guard, Sanders’ role demands speed, quick decision-making, and the ability to handle intense defensive pressure. Guards are responsible for setting up plays, maintaining ball control, and making crucial shots under tight coverage. With T1D, ensuring steady energy levels is key to excelling in this fast-paced position. She definitely doesn’t have time for lows!

Sanders has taken on an advocacy role through the Dexcom U NIL Ambassador program, where she mentors young athletes with diabetes, helping them navigate the challenges of managing their condition while pursuing their athletic dreams.

Isaac Traudt – Shooting with Precision at Forward

Isaac Traudt, a talented forward for Creighton University, has successfully balanced playing high-level college basketball while managing his T1D. Diagnosed at a young age, Traudt’s journey reflects the dedication and discipline required to manage a chronic condition alongside intense athletic training.

“It’s just important for them to know their dreams can still be accomplished,” Traudt told AP News. “It doesn’t really matter if you have diabetes or not. It just takes more responsibility. It’s more demanding, but at the end of the day, it’s possible.” 

As a forward, his role requires versatility — scoring, rebounding, and defending against some of the toughest opponents. 

For Traudt, preparation is everything. Keeping his blood sugar levels within range means closely monitoring how his body responds to the physical demands of training and games. Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) allows him to adjust his insulin and nutrition in real time, ensuring he remains at peak performance.

Miro Little – Precision and Playmaking as a Guard

Miro Little, a Finnish basketball player diagnosed with T1D at seven, has played for Baylor University and the University of Utah, representing Finland in international competitions.

As a guard, Little’s game is built on precision, agility, and leadership. Guards are responsible for directing the offense, setting the tempo, and making split-second decisions. His ability to read defenses and make quick, calculated moves is essential to his success on the court. 

Managing diabetes means staying prepared for his position's physical and mental demands, ensuring he can compete at the highest level without missing a beat.

He definitely doesn’t have time for lows!

Shining a Spotlight on Professional Basketball Players with T1D

While March Madness primarily highlights college basketball players, several professional athletes have also managed T1D while excelling in the NBA and WNBA. These players inspire young athletes, showing that T1D doesn’t have to limit success at the highest level.

Chris Dudley – Dominating the Paint as a Center

Chris Dudley made history as the first player with T1D to play in the NBA. Diagnosed at 16, he had an impressive 16-season career (1987–2003) with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks.

"It's incredibly difficult for someone with diabetes," he says, "but you don't want that to be used as an excuse. Take it seriously, but don't let it stop you." Dudley told Vault. 

As a center, Dudley’s role required him to be the backbone of the defense, protecting the rim and securing rebounds. Centers must be physically dominant, enduring relentless contact in the paint while staying agile enough to contest shots and execute under-the-basket plays. Managing diabetes as a center meant ensuring his energy levels remained steady despite the constant bursts of power required to battle opponents under the hoop. 

Dudley not only excelled on the court but also used his platform to help others. He founded the Chris Dudley Foundation, which provides education, support, and camp experiences for young athletes with diabetes.

Adam Morrison – Sharpshooter at Small Forward

Adam Morrison became a household name while at Gonzaga University, where he was a scoring machine and one of the best players in college basketball. 

Diagnosed with T1D at 13, Morrison didn’t let it stop him from reaching the NBA, where he played from 2006 to 2010, winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“For me, I was blessed with [Dr. Cathcart], who, from day one, said I can do whatever I want to as long as I take care of myself,” Morrison told Diabetes Health. “From the start, he let me know that if I took care of myself, I could play basketball. He never said, ‘You have to place limitations on yourself.’ That positive reinforcement let me know that everything was going to be all right. I still have him as my endocrinologist today.”

As a small forward, Morrison had one of the most demanding roles on the court. This position requires versatility — defending multiple positions, attacking the basket, and maintaining endurance for fast-paced offensive and defensive play. 

Gary Forbes – Versatile Scorer at Shooting Guard and Small Forward

Gary Forbes’ journey with T1D began at 19, while he was already making waves in college basketball — at a time when diabetes management looked very different — before CGMs, automated insulin delivery (AID) pumps, or even rapid-acting insulin at the start of his career. 

He later played for the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors between 2010 and 2012, inspiring young athletes facing similar challenges.

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“I remember the doctor pulling the shades down and telling me that I may have to stop worrying about basketball and focus on my education,” Forbes said. “I took that as a challenge. Plan B was to make Plan A work. I was going to make it to the NBA, despite having this health challenge,” Forbes told diaTribe. 

Forbes played as both a shooting guard and small forward, positions that require speed, agility, and the ability to handle intense bursts of energy.

Beyond basketball, Forbes has used his creativity and passion for advocacy to launch SOLE SURVIVORS, a comic book series aimed at inspiring and educating children and adults managing chronic health conditions. 

Through storytelling, the series highlights perseverance, resilience, and the mental strength needed to navigate life with diabetes. His goal is to shift the narrative — showing that a diagnosis is not a limitation but a stepping stone toward empowerment.

Lauren Cox – Powering Through at Power Forward and Center

Lauren Cox made history as the first WNBA player diagnosed with T1D. Diagnosed at age seven, she was drafted third overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2020 WNBA Draft after a stellar college career at Baylor University.

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“I am the first professional women’s basketball player to play with it, so whatever your passion is, you could be one of the first with diabetes to do it,” Cox told Indiana Fever. Cox had to be a dominant force in the paint as both a power forward and center. She has advocated for diabetes awareness in sports, proving that no diagnosis should limit an athlete’s potential.

More Than a Game

Managing T1D in high-level sports is an ongoing challenge, but these athletes have shown that with preparation, resilience, and the right medical support, anything is possible. Whether dominating in the paint, nailing a game-winning shot, or leading a fast break, these basketball stars have redefined what it means to compete with type 1 diabetes.

March Madness is all about defying expectations — and for players with T1D, every game is a testament to strength, discipline, and the power of perseverance. Their stories remind us that diabetes is just one part of the game, and with the right mindset, anything is possible on and off the court.