NBA ref Tony Brown will miss rest of season, playoffs after cancer diagnosis

Tony Brown, a 19-year veteran NBA official, will not work the rest of the regular season nor the playoffs after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, the NBA announced on Monday. 

Brown has been undergoing treatment since his diagnosis. 

“Tony is a beloved member of the NBA family, and in particular, our officiating family,” Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Referee Development and Training, said in a statement. “In addition to exemplifying what it means to be a world class referee on the court, Tony also touches so many lives off the court. The NBA officiating family and the entire NBA family stand behind Tony with thoughts and prayers as he embarks upon this courageous battle.”

The family thanked fans for the well-wishes, love and support. 

The entire NBA community stands behind Tony Brown and his family during this time. We are lifting up Tony, Tina and his family in love, thoughts and prayers and will fight alongside him throughout this courageous battle. https://t.co/M4OQS5L2cy

— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) May 10, 2021

Brown has officiated 1,109 regular season games and 35 playoff games. He made his first Finals appearance in 2020 from the NBA bubble at Disney World in Orlando and officiated both the 2018 and 2020 NBA All-Star games. 

The veteran official attended Clark Atlanta University, an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and graduated in 1989 with a degree in finance. Prior to the NBA, he worked for four seasons in each of the NBA G League and CBA and three seasons in the WNBA. 

While with the WNBA, he refereed the 2002 WNBA Finals and the 2002 All-Star game. 

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