By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Dave Joerger is leaving the team for several weeks to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a form of “head and neck” cancer, according to ESPN.
Joerger, 47, has undergone treatments while coaching for the past two weeks – missing only one road game – but the Sixers’ extended road trip requires him to step away and stay back for treatments in Philadelphia.
Joerger told the Sixers players, assistant coaches and staff of his cancer in a postgame meeting after Saturday night’s loss to the Pacers in Indiana. He had already told a small group of Sixers officials, including coach Doc Rivers, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and owner Josh Harris.
“We have caught it early. I’m very lucky. I’ve got over a 90% chance of cure rate, but it’s very scary and it’s not enjoyable going through. …I can’t go on the road and do radiation and chemotherapy in different cities around the country. To continue my treatment, I need to step away from the team,” Joerger told ESPN.