Achille Polonara Announces Successful Bone Marrow Transplant After Leukemia Diagnosis
Bologna, Italy – Italian basketball star Achille Polonara has announced a successful bone marrow transplant, offering a positive update in his battle with myeloid leukemia, which was diagnosed in June. Polonara shared teh news via his X account, stating, “Everything with transplantation is fine.” The transplant achieved a 90 percent donor match, according too reports.
Polonara, a veteran of numerous European basketball leagues and the Italian national team, previously overcame testicular cancer, returning to play during the 2023-2024 season.He currently plays for Dynamo Banco di Sardegna sassari in the Italian LBA Unipolsai league and the FIBA Europe Cup. He previously won the European Cup with Sassari in 2019.
The 32-year-old has amassed meaningful experience throughout his career, including 179 EuroLeague games and appearances in the European Cup (36 times), Champions League (14 times), and Europe CUP (24 times) while playing for clubs such as Baskonia, Fenerbahçe, Žalgiris, and Anadolu Efes.
Polonara is also a mainstay with the Italian national team, having represented his country in FIBA tournaments, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He is now awaiting medical clearance to return to the court.