Morrison Taken Third in NBA Draft

I know that this blog is supposed to be dedicated to my running and my fundraising for Team Diabetes but I couldn't let this week go by without mentioning Wednesday's NBA Draft.
As someone with diabetes who plays and coaches basketball, Wednesday night was an exciting night for me.
I'm a Toronto Raptors fan and make it to about a half a dozen games a season. Through my job at Reebok, I've also had the chance to meet some of the players and coaching staff at the Raptors and play at their practice facility. The past few years, though, there hasn't been much to cheer about at the Air Canada Centre.
Going into Wednesday's draft, the Raptors held the first overall pick and, of course, there was speculation as to who the new GM, Brian Colangelo would select or if he would trade the pick for a veteran player.
One of the top prospects going into the draft was the NCAA's leading scorer (averaging over 28 points per game) from Gonzaga University, Adam Morrison. Morrison was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 14. Morrison has been very open to the media about discussing his diabetes but has never let his condition hold him back and has refused to be a "victim". In 2003 he told Sports Illustrated, "I’ve never said, ‘I have diabetes, so I can’t bust my ass on this play.'"
When that SI article hit newstands, Gonzaga's Athletic Department was flooded with phone calls and emails from parents of children with diabetes. Morrison became a role model for thousands of people with diabetes by proving that diabetes does not have to hold you back from your dreams.
The Raptors ended up taking an Italian big man named Andrea Bargnani but until the moment David Stern announced Bargnani's name, I held out hope that the Raptors would take Morrison.
Morrison ended up being selected third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that needs someone who can score baskets.
Morrison is not the only diabetic playing professional sports at the major league level. Pitcher Jason Johnson of the Boston Red Sox has Type 1 Diabetes and wears an insulin infusion pump when he plays. The NHL's Nick Boynton has Type 1 Diabetes and was recently traded to the Phoenix Coyotes where the defenseman will play for coach Wayne Gretzky. Morrison, Johnson and Boynton have all used their high profiles to raise awareness and funds for various diabetes foundations.
Congratulations on making it to the League, Adam. I'm ordering my Charlotte jersey as soon they're available and you'll have a fan here when the Bobcats come to Toronto.