Report: NBA prospect Jonathan Jeanne diagnosed with Marfan syndrome
Projected first-round NBA draft pick Jonathan Jeanne, a 7-foot-2 center from France, has been diagnosed with a genetic connective tissue disorder that threatens his future professional career, The Vertical reports.
An initial MRI at last month’s NBA draft combine in Chicago revealed Jeanne had an abnormality in his spine, which led to a Marfan syndrome diagnosis.
Because of the disorder, the 19-year-old Jeanne — who has been playing professionally overseas since 2013 — is unlikely to be cleared for future NBA workouts.
The diagnosis jeopardizing Jeanne’s draft status and career is strikingly reminiscent to former Baylor player Isaiah Austin’s Marfan syndrome diagnosis that led him to go undrafted in 2014 and step away from basketball. NBA commissioner Adam Silver made Austin a ceremonial pick as a result of the deflating diagnosis days before the draft. Austin was cleared to return to the sport this past December, however, after careful medical monitoring.
According to The Marfan Foundation, Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue that holds together all of the body's cells, organs and tissue. It also plays an important role in helping the body grow and develop properly. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome can affect many different parts.
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