Yes, former NBA player Tony Snell publicly revealed he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 31, making him the first openly diagnosed autistic NBA player and highlighting that many players may be on the spectrum without public knowledge. Snell shared his story after his son's diagnosis, finding the diagnosis explained his lifelong traits, like intense focus on shooting, and he now advocates for others, showing that autism doesn't limit potential.
Tony Rena Snell Jr.
He is also the first NBA player to be publicly diagnosed with autism. Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Joe Barksdale – American Football
As a standout player at Louisiana State University, Barksdale was drafted by the Raiders in the 2011 NFL Draft. Diagnosed with autism at 30, Barksdale always knew that he wasn't quite like all the other kids he grew up with.
The NBA doesn't have an official, written rule banning #69, but it's unofficially prohibited due to its sexual connotations, with the league blocking attempts to use it, most famously when Dennis Rodman tried to wear it for the Mavericks in 2000, forcing him to choose #70 instead, showing the league's stance against numbers seen as inappropriate or suggestive.
Michael Jordan got blessed with an activity he enjoyed: basketball. He was the only accomplished athlete in basketball history who had ADHD disorder.
Joseph Barksdale made a name for himself as an offensive tackle in the NFL, playing for teams like the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers. Late Realisation: Similar to John O'Kane, Barksdale discovered his autism later in life.
NBA icon LeBron James advocates for ADHD awareness and acceptance, combating stigma in the sports community.
The numbers 58, 59, 64, 69, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 87, 95, and 97 have never been worn. There is always a big dropoff from when the ones digit goes from 5 to 6.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is one of the most well-known figures in modern technology. What many people don't know is that he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism.
Best Sports for Kids with Autism
Famous examples include Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and NBA star Dennis Rodman, all of whom have openly discussed their ADHD diagnoses.
Struggles with self-confidence due to dyslexia haven't crippled this NBA star's promising career. Payton grew up in a household that encouraged reading regularly, but he struggled and showed little improvement despite encouragement from his parents. When he was in second grade he was tested and diagnosed with dyslexia.
Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love uses medication and therapy to help manage his anxiety and depression. Kevin Love has achieved a lot in 31 years. He's a five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star. He won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
The NBA has always allowed other numbers from 0 to 99, but use of digits 6 through 9 is less common than 0 through 5 since most players tend to keep the numbers that they had previously worn in college.
To pay tribute to his legacy as a player and leader off the court, the NBA retired the number #6 throughout the league in 2022. It serves as a reminder of Russell's impact on and off the basketball court.
Most notably, former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was permanently banned from the NBA for a leaked conversation condemning black people from coming to his games, primarily former Los Angeles Lakers player Magic Johnson.
The following numbers are legal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55. team rosters can include 0 or 00, but not both.
The ADHD "2-Minute Rule" suggests doing any task taking under two minutes immediately to build momentum, but it often backfires by derailing focus due to weak working memory, time blindness, and transition difficulties in people with ADHD. A better approach is to write down these quick tasks on a separate "catch-all" list instead of interrupting your main work, then schedule specific times to review and tackle them, or use a slightly longer timeframe like a 5-minute rule to prevent getting lost down "rabbit holes".
Actor Jim Carrey has publicly discussed his lifelong struggles with depression, which he's managed with medication like Prozac and a focus on healthy living, exercise, and positive environments; he also reportedly lives with a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which many fans note mirrors themes in his early comedic work.
Popular sports for children with ADHD include martial arts, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, athletics, and horse riding, each promoting skills beneficial for managing ADHD symptoms.