Sean

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...nes-sports-nba
From the Los Angeles Times


The training-camp invitee knows something about challenges, having battled cancer twice in his young life.

By Mike Bresnahan; Los Angeles Times Staff Writer; October 15, 2007

Trying to make the Lakers as an undrafted rookie out of Boise State is one definition of pressure, although it tends to be less daunting when stacked up next to Coby Karl's life experiences off the court.

Being treated for cancer, twice, by age 24 has a way of prioritizing what's important in life.

Karl, trying to earn the 15th and final spot on the Lakers' roster, had led a charmed existence as the son of Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl, receiving an early education in basketball and getting the opportunity to scrimmage with NBA players during slow summer days as a high schooler in Wisconsin. (The elder Karl coached the Milwaukee Bucks from 1998 to 2003.)

Then came the words that interrupted his junior season at Boise State. A lump that appeared in his neck was diagnosed as papillary carcinoma.

"When I heard my doctor say it was cancer, I kind of froze," Karl said.

It was treatable, and Karl underwent surgery in March 2006 to have his thyroid gland removed.

He did not tell his Boise State teammates until a few days before the surgery because he did not want them distracted as they approached postseason play. He told them the day their season ended after losing to Louisiana Tech in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

"The fear was I wasn't going to be able to play any more," he said. "It was kind of a selfish fear because in the reality of things, it's your life that you could lose. My doctor explained to me that's it's very curable and there's not too much to worry about, although it was still cancer."

After the surgery, he underwent a two-day treatment in which he took radioactive iodine pills and had to quarantine himself so that family and friends did not get any radioactive side effects.

It was difficult, it was trying, it was exhausting. Then it came back.

In December 2006, Karl's doctor said a regular check-up needed to be followed by further testing because of an irregularity in some of Karl's lab results.

The disease had returned, it turned out. Karl had to have cancerous lymph nodes removed, which was done the day of the NCAA championship game in April.

more in link above...

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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Showtime87

One of those strong character guys who would be great to have on the roster. This kid obviously knows about adversity and has already displayed a ton of heart simply by making it this far. Personally, I really hope he does make the team.

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REMEMBERING #44: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Gathers