In the game of basketball, staying healthy is the ultimate assist. For elite athletes like Lexie Brown of the Seattle Storm and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Evernorth Health Services is the teammate behind the scenes, helping them stay at the top of their game.
For Brown, a 2021 WNBA champion, health challenges arrived unexpectedly. In her sixth season, she was playing some of the best basketball of her career when she began to feel persistent fatigue and pain.
“I experienced difficulty eating and getting through practices and games, and struggled to get through the day,” Brown said.
Her diagnosis of Crohn’s disease was a turning point. “It was helpful to know what I was up against. Even though I was forced to take a step back away from the game, I was able to build an amazing health care team to help me return to basketball,” she said.
Today, Brown manages her condition with support from Evernorth’s specialty pharmacy, Accredo – receiving medication at home and staying on top of her prescriptions through the Accredo app. The app allows her to conveniently adjust medication deliveries as she travels across the country.
“Within Evernorth’s Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, we’re relentlessly focused on patient care,” said Matt Perlberg, president of pharmacy and care delivery at Evernorth Health Services. “We’re proud of the critical role we play in helping ensure patients like Lexie receive the medication and associated clinical support they need, wherever they are.”
Watch Brown’s full story in the video below to see how Evernorth and Accredo help her thrive on and off the court.
For Brunson, a two-time NBA All-Star, preparation and routine are key to maintaining peak performance, regardless of his mood. “No matter if I am happy, sad, or mad, I’ve got to come into every day willing and wanting to work,” he said. Brunson said that factors such as sleep, nutrition, and family time play important roles in his overall health, and he credits his health team at Evernorth for supporting his readiness for play.
“They tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. The dedication they provide has been amazing,” Brunson said, adding that he has peace of mind knowing that care and medication are accessible wherever he and his family are – even on the road.
Watch Brunson’s full story in the video below to learn how Evernorth helps him stay prepared for any health challenge.
A game-changing partnership to support better health
Evernorth is the official health services partner of the NBA and WNBA. Their multi-year collaboration is dedicated to providing the NBA family with services to improve health and well-being.
Through this partnership, Evernorth supports NBA Total Health, the league's holistic health platform for fans that promotes the connectivity of physical, mental, preventive, and community health. Evernorth helps provide resources to NBA fans and engage local communities around the country, inspiring millions of fans to take the next step on their total health journey.
“We wanted to partner with proven health expertise to ground our work in credible, actionable guidance," says Barbara Bush, senior vice president of social impact and inclusion at the NBA. "Through our partnership on NBA Total Health, we’re able to ensure that Evernorth’s expertise resonates with our fans in an authentic and meaningful way.”
This partnership is centered around a shared goal of advancing health and well-being for fans, members of the NBA family, and the community.
“The work goes beyond promoting healthy lifestyles,” says Kathy Behrens, NBA’s president of social responsibility and player programs. “Together, we'll continue to innovate with purpose, build inclusive communities and lead with meaningful action.”
