Former NBA player Tony Snell diagnosed with autism / News - Basketnews.com

Tony Snell, a former NBA forward, talked about how he learned he has autism and is willing to speak out in hopes of curbing the stigma surrounding the illness.

Credit: China Wong/NBAE via Getty Images Credit China Wong/NBAE via Getty Images

Former NBA forward Tony Snell revealed that his son's autism spectrum disorder diagnosis led to his own diagnosis.

Snell was diagnosed with the disorder at 31 years of age. He said his two-year-old son, Karter, was diagnosed with autism, so he decided to get tested as well.

"I wasn't surprised, because I always felt different," Snell said during an appearance on NBC's 'Today' on Friday.

"By 18 months, my son still wasn't talking (and) he was doing a lot of stimming movements," Snell told anchor Craig Melvin.

Although he is "relieved" to learn of his condition, Snell believes that not being diagnosed at a young age allowed him to accomplish things that he otherwise would not have been able to.

"I don't think I would have been in the NBA if I had been diagnosed with autism at my son's age," Snell said. "They probably would have put a limit or cap on my capabilities."

Snell was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 20th overall pick in 2013 NBA draft. He also played for the Milwaukee Bucks (2016–19), Detroit Pistons (2019–20), Atlanta Hawks (2020–21), Portland Trail Blazers (2021–22) and New Orleans Pelicans (2022). He signed with the NBA G League's Maine Celtics in January.

Born in Los Angeles, Snell said he was "always independent growing up. Always being alone. I just couldn't connect with people on the personal side of things."

He added that autism is under-diagnosed in the Black community: "We don’t have much knowledge of it, and I think some people are nervous to open up. People got lots of stuff going on individually, and it's hard to open up to things that people might not know about.”

Snell described the moment of his diagnosis as life-changing.

"It just made my whole life, everything about my life, make so much sense. It was like a clarity, like putting some 3D glasses on," he recalled.

The University of New Mexico alumnus said his son won't feel alone like he did. Snell said he's speaking out in hopes of curbing the stigma surrounding autism.

"I just want to change lives and inspire people. I want to make sure my son knows that I have his back," said Snell.

"When I was a kid, I felt different, but now I could show him that I’m right here with you, (and) we're going to ride this thing together. We're going to grow together, and we’re going to accomplish a lot of things together."

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