Alex Pledger Takes on the biggest fight of his life

New Zealand Tall Black and former Melbourne United centre, Alex Pledger, was last week diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer.

Following nearly five months of feeling unwell, Alex visited numerous medical professionals in New Zealand who ran a series of tests all of which came back inconclusive.

Alex was admitted to hospital in New Zealand last week after becoming ill. Further tests were conducted early last week at which point specialists provided the diagnosis. They believed this is something Alex may have been battling for a number of years.

Alex has taken the news well and is optimistic of his chances of winning this battle:

“Obviously this has been a shock. Early tests are showing positive signs and I’m feeling really good about our plan to beat this. I feel extremely lucky that this has been discovered at the stage that it has. I’m really grateful for the medical team, my family and the wonderful support I’m already receiving from the basketball community.  I’m looking forward to the future and hopefully getting back on court.”

He will begin radiotherapy over the next week, with his initial treatment plan expected to go for six weeks.

Alex, his fiancée Bailee and his family want to extend their sincere thanks for the love and support they have received from those already aware of his diagnosis.

We ask that Alex’s privacy, and that of his family, is respected at this time as he transitions into the biggest fight of his life.

Alex represented Melbourne United in 50 games across two seasons and finished up with the club in 2020. The club wishes Alex all the best with his treatment and recovery, and our thoughts are with him, Bailee and his family.