French prospect Jonathan Jeanne, viewed as a probable first-round selection in the 2017 NBA draft, has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, agent Bouna Ndiaye tells Shams Charania of The Vertical. The diagnosis places Jeanne’s potential NBA career in jeopardy.
An MRI on Jeanne at last month’s draft combine showed an abnormality in his spine, and after undergoing follow-up tests, the 19-year-old received the diagnosis on Thursday. According to Charania, Jeanne is not expected to be cleared for workouts with NBA teams going forward.
As Charania explains, Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues. Former Baylor prospect Isaiah Austin was affected by the same disorder, preventing him from being drafted or pursuing an NBA career in 2014. Austin was medically cleared to play basketball again within the last year, making his professional debut in the Adriatic League earlier in 2017.
Ndiaye tells Charania that his client hopes to resume his basketball career “after extensive medical supervision,” but the diagnosis almost certainly ends Jeanne’s chances to be drafted this year. Recent mock drafts from DraftExpress and ESPN’s Chad Ford had him coming off the board with the 22nd and 23rd picks, respectively. Ford has since removed Jeanne from his latest mock.
This is just sad, wish Jonathan the best
Yes and hopefully he cs have the same result as Isaiah Austin and be able to play again. Maybe the NBA will do something with the draft like they did with Austin so he could still live the dream of hearing his name called
Just sad. I heard a lot of people considered him a sleeper prospect. To find out so close to realizing your dream, that it’s all over, and there’s nothing you can do is devastating