Nineteen-year NBA referee Tony Brown will not officiate the remainder of the regular season and playoffs after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month.
The NBA made the announcement on Monday.
Brown has been undergoing treatment since learning of his condition.
“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.”
Brown’s family thanked fans for all 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
In his long officiating career, Brown has officiated a total of 1,109 regular-season games and 35 playoff games.
In fact, Brown got to officiate in his first NBA Finals in 2020 from the NBA Bubble at Disney World in Orlando.
He also officiated in the 2018 and 2020 NBA All-Star Games.
The veteran official is a graduate from Clark Atlanta University, a well-known and respected HBCU (Historically Black College and University).
He graduated in 1989 with a degree in finance, and prior to his NBA officiating career, he worked for four seasons in the NBA G League and the CBA, and an additional three seasons in the WNBA.
In the WNBA, Tony Brown refereed the 2002 WNBA Finals and the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game.
The official NBA Referee’s Twitter account also tweeted well wishes to Brown.
“The entire NBA community stands behind Tony Brown and his family during this time,” the official NBA Referees Twitter account tweeted.
“We are lifting up Tony, Tina, and his family in love, thoughts, and prayers and will fight alongside him throughout this courageous battle.”
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