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Four-time NBL champion Alex Pledger overcomes cancer

Matt Logue NCA NewsWire
No more cancer for veteran big man Alex Pledger. David Crosling
Camera IconNo more cancer for veteran big man Alex Pledger. David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

Four-time NBL champion Alex Pledger has won his battle with colorectal cancer, taking to social media to announce his successful pathology results.

Pledger, who has played 263 games with the New Zealand Breakers and Melbourne United, vowed to use all the determination he displayed during his career to fight off the cancer when he was diagnosed in late March.

The New Zealand Tall Blacks representative didn’t sign with an NBL club last season after a two-year stint with United as he dealt with five months of feeling unwell.

Pledger visited numerous medical professionals in New Zealand who ran a series of tests, all of which came back inconclusive.

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He was admitted to hospital after becoming ill, and the cancer diagnosis was provided following further specialist tests.

Melbourne United v Adelaide
Camera IconNo more cancer for veteran big man Alex Pledger. David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

Pledger had signed with the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand competition for the 2021 season, but he only managed to play in the final regular season game due to his cancer diagnosis.

Now after months of radiotherapy treatment, the 34-year-old is in the clear.

“Just received my post op pathology results … margins were clear and the 22 lymph nodes that were removed didn’t have a single cancer cell in them,” Pledger said via Twitter.

“So, long story short, don’t have cancer anymore – how good.”

It is believed Pledger has been battling the condition for several years, but he always stayed positive.

“Obviously, this has been a shock, but early tests are showing positive signs and I’m feeling really good about our plan to beat this,” he previously said.

“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.”

 

Originally published as Four-time NBL champion Alex Pledger overcomes cancer

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