Slam Dunk for Health: Basketball Legends Tackle Prostate Cancer

CHICAGO & LOS ANGELES – February 11, 2026 – In a landmark collaboration, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is joining forces with the Legends of Basketball, the association for retired professional players, to launch a nationwide health initiative called “Check the Box! Saving Lives Together.” The partnership aims to leverage the immense cultural influence of basketball icons to drive a critical message: get screened for prostate cancer.

The campaign, which will officially tip off during the NBA All-Star Weekend, brings together 140 basketball legends to champion the cause. It places a significant emphasis on reaching African American men, a demographic that faces a disproportionately higher risk from the disease.

A Full-Court Press Against a Silent Killer

The urgency behind the “Check the Box!” initiative is underscored by stark statistics. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed every one to two minutes in the United States, and the disease claims a life roughly every 15 minutes. While it is the most common non-skin cancer among American men, the burden is not shared equally.

Research consistently shows that African American men are about 75% more likely to develop prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men. More alarmingly, they are more than twice as likely to die from the disease if it goes untreated. These disparities are driven by a complex mix of genetic, socioeconomic, and systemic factors, but a significant contributor to the mortality gap is late diagnosis. When prostate cancer is detected early, while still confined to the prostate, the five-year survival rate is nearly 99%. This makes awareness and early detection not just a health recommendation, but a life-saving imperative.

The campaign's core message is to encourage men, particularly those over 40 and those with a family history of the disease, to have proactive conversations with their doctors about screening. The primary tool for this is the simple Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, a first-line defense that can indicate the need for further evaluation.

Leveraging a Legacy for Lifesaving Impact

This initiative builds on a proven model of using trusted voices to promote public health. By partnering with the Legends of Basketball, the PCF is tapping into a powerful network of figures who are admired and respected in communities across the country. The goal is to meet men where they are, using the powerful platform of sports to normalize conversations about a sensitive health topic.

“Being a Legend has always been about finding ways to make an impact,” said Antonio Davis, CEO of Legends of Basketball. “By partnering with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, our members are using their voice to raise awareness and encourage early detection.”

This strategy has seen success in the past. For years, sports figures have been instrumental in health advocacy. The Atlanta Hawks, for instance, have partnered with the PCF and Emory Healthcare since 2019 on a Black History Month challenge, with team legend Dominique Wilkins appearing in public service announcements to highlight the importance of early detection for Black men. This new, larger-scale partnership with the Legends of Basketball aims to replicate that success on a national level, turning the collective influence of retired NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters players into a formidable force for health equity.

“The partnership between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Legends of Basketball symbolizes a great stride in the movement we are building to end the death and suffering caused by prostate cancer,” said Gina Carithers, PCF President and CEO. “We are reaching men where they are, in the communities they trust and through leaders they admire, with the Legends of Basketball.”

The Game Plan: From All-Star Weekend to Community Courts

The kickoff at the NBA All-Star Weekend is just the beginning. The “Check the Box!” initiative is a multi-faceted campaign designed for sustained impact. The strategy involves a combination of digital storytelling, public forums, and community-based events. The aim is to create an ongoing dialogue that closes the awareness and screening gaps that lead to preventable deaths.

This partnership builds on the momentum of a recent “Check the Box!” launch at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, which has committed to a five-year engagement to spread awareness. That event featured Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, who is also an Executive Board Member for Legends of Basketball.

“This partnership is about using the power of basketball to save lives by uniting the Legends of Basketball and the Prostate Cancer Foundation,” said Lieberman. “We are standing up for our Legends, families, and our communities on and off the court. Together we are going to bring awareness and save lives.”

Members of the Legends of Basketball will act as ambassadors, engaging fans and their local communities to prioritize annual prostate cancer screenings. This direct, personal approach is central to the campaign's mission to empower men to take control of their health.

Beyond the Buzzer: A Continued Commitment to Community

For the retired players, this partnership is a natural extension of their post-career work. The Legends of Basketball, founded in 1992, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting its members and engaging in community service. Through its “Legends Care” platform, the organization focuses on health and wellness, mental health support, and community impact initiatives.

Their involvement in “Check the Box!” is not merely a celebrity endorsement; it is an act of service that aligns with their mission to ensure a player's legacy extends far beyond the final buzzer. By speaking out on prostate cancer, these legends are continuing their roles as leaders and role models, using their unique platform to address a critical issue that affects their peers, their fans, and their families.

As the initiative rolls out, its success will be measured not just in media impressions, but in the number of conversations started, screenings scheduled, and lives ultimately saved. The collaboration represents a powerful belief that the same teamwork and determination that win championships on the court can be harnessed to achieve a far more important victory against prostate cancer.