With the spread of the coronavirus around the globe, it was just a matter of time before the outbreak impacted the sports world in the United States. Beyond the list of cancellations, postponements and other general pandemic-based reactions from leagues around the world, the disease has made its way to professional athletes and at least one professional coach as well.
Kevin Durant is the biggest name in the sports world to test positive for coronavirus so far. He confirmed to The Athletic that he was one of four Brooklyn Nets players who tested positive for it, although he said he's feeling fine and is showing no symptoms. The first notable case of this situation in the United States came with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who was more or less patient zero for COVID-19 among the NBA community. The news of his diagnosis sent those in charge of the league to suspend the remainder of the season indefinitely -- with the NBA eyeing a return of mid-to-late June after the CDC recommended Sunday that any gatherings of 50 or more people be postponed or canceled for the next eight weeks.
The NBA's decision to halt play was the first domino to fall in professional sports, as the NHL postponed its season and the MLB canceled spring training and pushed Opening Day to mid-May. There's no telling when sports will resume as the entire country -- and the world -- tries to fight off this pandemic.
Here is a list of all the professional athletes, coaches, and sports figures that have been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Sports figures with COVID-19
- Daniele Rugani, Juventus defender. Diagnosis announced March 11
- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz center. Diagnosis announced March 11
- Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager. Diagnosis announced March 12
- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz guard. Diagnosis announced March 12
- Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea winger. Diagnosis announced March 12
- Trey Thompkins, Real Madrid power forward. Diagnosis announced March 12
- Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina striker. Diagnosis announced March 13
- Christian Wood, Detroit Pistons forward. Diagnosis announced March 14
- Unnamed Seattle Dragons (XFL) player. Diagnosis announced March 14
- Chris Kielsmeier, Cleveland State women's basketball coach. Diagnosis announced March 14
- German Pezzella, Fiorentina defender. Diagnosis announced March 14
- Unnamed New York Yankees minor-league player. Diagnosis announced March 15
- Jorge Jesus, Flamengo manager. Diagnosis announced March 16
- Patrick Cutrone, Fiorentina striker. Diagnosis announced March 16
- Kozo Tashima, Japan Olympic Committee deputy chief. Diagnosis announced March 17
- Second unnamed New York Yankees minor-league player. Diagnosis announced March 17
- Kevin Durant and three other unnamed players on the Brooklyn Nets. Diagnosis announced March 17
- Victor Lange, PGA Tour golfer. Diagnosis announced March 19
- Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints head coach. Diagnosis announced March 19
- Three unnamed members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization. Diagnosis announced March 19
- Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics guard. Diagnosis announced March 19
- Two unnamed Los Angeles Lakers players. Diagnosis announced March 19
- Paulo Dybala, Juventus player. Diagnosis announced March 21
- Enrique Bonilla, Liga MX president. Diagnosis announced March 21
- Second unnamed Ottawa Senators player. Diagnosis announced March 21
- Cameron van der Burgh, Olympic swimmer for South Africa. Diagnosis announced March 22
- Sydney Wiese, Los Angeles Sparks guard. Diagnosis announced March 27
- Second unnamed Colorado Avalanche player. Diagnosis announced March 28.
- Patrick McEnroe, former tennis champion. Diagnosis announced March 31.
- Jim Edmonds, former MLB outfielder. Diagnosis announced April 2.