Legends of Basketball Partners with Prostate Cancer Foundation on “Check the Box!” New National Prostate Cancer Awareness Initiative

CHICAGO & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and the Legends of Basketball / National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) today announced a new partnership to advance PCF’s “Check the Box! Saving Lives Together” nationwide initiative ensuring every man, particularly African American men, gets screened for prostate cancer with a simple PSA blood test. The partnership will kick off with an inaugural event at the NBA All-Star Weekend taking place February 13-15 and will feature 140 basketball legends coming together to inform, educate, and ultimately save lives together.

Building on the recent launch of ‘Check the Box!’ at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this collaboration unites PCF’s leadership in prostate cancer research with the cultural influence and community reach of basketball’s most iconic figures.

“Being a Legend has always been about finding ways to make an impact,” said Antonio Davis, CEO of Legends of Basketball. “By partnering with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, our members are using their voice to raise awareness and encourage early detection.”

The ‘Check the Box!’ initiative aims to normalize conversations about prostate health, encourage regular screenings, and empower men – particularly those at higher risk, including men with a family history and African American men – to take charge of their well‑being. Through digital storytelling, public forums, and community‑based activations, Check the Box! seeks to close awareness and screening gaps that contribute to late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses.

“The partnership between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Legends of Basketball symbolizes a great stride in the movement we are building to end the death and suffering caused by prostate cancer,” said Gina Carithers, PCF President and CEO. “With roughly one new prostate cancer case diagnosed every one to two minutes, and one death about every 15 minutes, we are up against the clock. This is why we are reaching men where they are, in the communities they trust and through leaders they admire, with the Legends of Basketball.”

As part of this partnership, members of the Legends of Basketball will help elevate the message across national and local markets, engaging fans, families, and communities to prioritize annual prostate cancer screenings that can lead to early detection.

“This partnership is about using the power of basketball to save lives by uniting the Legends of Basketball and the Prostate Cancer Foundation,” said Nancy Lieberman, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and Legends of Basketball Executive Board Member. “We are standing up for our Legends, families, and our communities on and off the court. Together we are going to bring awareness and save lives.”

About Legends of Basketball

Legends of Basketball is a nonprofit association of former professional basketball players united by a shared journey and a shared belief that legacy does not end when the ball stops bouncing. Founded in 1992 and established with the support of the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, the organization brings together former players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA, and Harlem Globetrotters. Legends of Basketball operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting members beyond the game through connection, education, wellness initiatives, family resources, and community service.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has raised more than $1 billion to fund cutting-edge research through more than 2,615 research projects at 312 leading cancer centers, with a global footprint spanning 29 countries. Since PCF’s inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to the mission of ending death and suffering from this disease. Learn more at pcf.org.