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NBA: Each team’s greatest comeback from injury in franchise history

By Jerran Anderson

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Denver Nuggets, Nene
Denver Nuggets, Nene (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Greatest injury comeback in Denver Nuggets history: Nene

Testicular cancer

The journey of Nene began back in Brazil, when at the age of 19, he decided to come to the states and play in the NBA. He was selected seventh overall by the New York Knicks but moved to the Denver Nuggets, where he made an immediate impact.

He took home All-Rookie honors in 2002-03, putting up 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game during his first year in the league. He suffered a torn ACL and MCL during the 2005-06 season on opening night but managed to bounce back from that during the 2006-07 season.

Nene appeared 64 contests following the ACL and MCL injury, producing 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

During the 2007-08 season, he took a personal leave of absence and it was revealed that he had testicular cancer. He stepped away from the court while dealing with the matter and managed to return on March 27, 2008, during the same season to a standing ovation from fans.

After that year, Nene put up career-high numbers in points (14.6 points per game) and rebounds (7.8 rebounds per game) during the 2008-09 campaign, showing no ill effects of cancer. Through 10 seasons, he averaged 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with the Nuggets.

Today, he’s currently a reserve for the Houston Rockets and remains cancer-free to this day. He’s a testament to another off-the-court battle overcome and remains active in the NBA today.