Tony Snell, a nine-year NBA veteran, was unable to secure a contract with any team before the deadline on Friday, February 2nd.
This means he will not qualify for the union’s premium medical plan that would cover his entire family, including his two sons, Karter and Kenzo, who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Snell, 32, is a former first-round pick who has played for six NBA teams, most recently the New Orleans Pelicans. He is a versatile wing player who can shoot, defend, and play multiple positions. He was hoping to sign with an NBA team for the remainder of the season, which would have given him his 10th year of service in the league.
Tony Snell’s sons, Karter, 3, and Kenzo, 2, both have autism spectrum disorder, a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social skills. He and his wife, Samantha, have been seeking the best treatment and care for their sons, but have faced challenges and expenses. The current medical plan that Snell qualifies for only covers himself, not his family.
His situation has been reported by various media outlets, such as Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN. His story has also been discussed by NBA analysts, such as Charles Barkley, who appealed to NBA teams to sign Snell for the sake of his sons on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Barkley said that the athlete deserved to get the benefits he needed for his family, and that the NBA was a family that should help each other.
However, none of the 30 NBA teams signed Tony Snell before the deadline, which was 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday.
