Chris Wright, a reserve point guard, is unlikely to make a difference for the Dallas Mavericks after being called up from the Iowa Energy of the developmental league for a 10-day contract.
Still, what he has overcome in order to step on an NBA court is impressive. Wright, a Georgetown alum, suffers from multiple sclerosis.
After going undrafted in the 2011 NBA Draft, Wright headed to Turkey to begin his professional career. Months later, he stumbled during drills and soon lost the sensation in his right leg and right hand. Soon thereafter, he was diagnosed with MS.
Wright returned to the United States with everyone around him assuming his career was over. MS would likely sideline Wright in his already uphill battle to the NBA by itself, but the stigma of the often misunderstood disease would be a significant hurdle as well.
A tryout with the Hornets in October kept Wright’s dreams alive, and a strong season with the Energy proved he could still play at a high level.
Wright will get his opportunity with the Mavericks during the midst of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and he will work to make his 10-day stint in the NBA a more permanent situation for himself in Dallas.
I, for one, will be rooting for him.
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