Tony Snell misses deadline for tenth year of NBA service, is ineligible for benefits to care for autistic sons
Tony Snell’s mission to sign with an NBA team this season has become one of the most widely discussed basketball stories.
The 32-year-old guard plays for the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.
He spent the majority of his nine-year NBA career as a role player. He was pushing to sign with a team by a Feb. 2 deadline to gain retirement benefits for players with at least 10 years of service.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, players with a decade of experience can receive lifetime health insurance for their children. Snell’s two young sons have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Snell said he was also diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.
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The NBA does offer two benefit retirement tiers. Once a player reaches three years of experience, they are eligible for personal lifetime health insurance. Individuals who play for ten or more years qualify for premium benefits, which provide lifetime health insurance for members of their family.
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Friday marked the final day Snell could sign with an NBA team in order to qualify for his tenth year of service. Snell scored three points in the Maine Celtics win over the Grand Rapids Gold on Friday.
He has appeared in 14 games at the G League level this season and has averaged 4.1 points per contest. Many G League teams are primarily focused on developing younger players. Therefore, playing time is typically hard to come by for more experienced players such as Snell.
Earlier this week, Niasmith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkely made an impassioned plea for a franchise to sign Snell before the benefits program deadline passed.
“I’m hoping — you know, the NBA’s been great to all of us sitting up here — I hope one of you guys sign Tony so his two autistic kids can get great medical care.”
There is still a possibility that Snell could land with an NBA team next season, but the odds are likely to decrease with each passing year.
Snell’s situation has certainly raised awareness about the financial burden associated with caring for people who suffer from autism. It is unclear if the NBA or the player’s association will reconsider its eligibility criteria or if Snell will be granted an exception.
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