From bronze medal basketball star to brain tumour survivor
We welcome Mike Martin as our new Charity Ambassador
Former professional basketball player and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Mike Martin is now using his voice to raise awareness of neurological conditions. His journey began after a sudden loss of movement in his leg led to the discovery of a brain tumour.
Mike Martin, 51, from London, is a former European professional basketball player whose journey into the sport was anything but conventional. Standing at 6ft 6in and playing as a forward, Mike’s path to the professional courts of the British Basketball League (BBL) began later than most—and yet, it’s a story of resilience, determination, and discovery that continues to inspire.
Raised in Northwest London, Mike describes his childhood as fairly ordinary, “not too different from many other kids in the area.” Like many children, he dabbled in various sports, trying football and athletics, but nothing seemed to stick—until one particular summer after leaving secondary school, a few friends introduced him to basketball.
Mike’s first experience with the sport was overwhelming.
He recalls:
“I had no prior knowledge of how basketball worked. I didn’t realise how fast-paced the game was. At first, it was a lot to take in.”
But once he got started, something clicked.
Mike says:
“Everything just fit, and I felt like I had found what I was meant to be doing.”
Unlike many professional athletes, Mike started organised basketball at age 21—well beyond the age most players begin their journey. His late start didn’t stop him, and after some time playing for a second-division team, Mike got the opportunity to turn professional.
A nomadic career across the UK and Europe
Mike began his professional career in 1998 with the Milton Keynes Lions before spending several years moving between teams in the UK and France. In 2005, he signed with Guildford Heat in their inaugural season—a move that marked the peak of his playing career.
On the international stage, Mike represented England at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where he achieved a career highlight by winning a bronze medal. With Guildford Heat, he went on to lift every major British Basketball League trophy, including the memorable 2007 BBL Cup final victory over Scottish Rocks.
From basketball stardom to brain cancer diagnosis
The incident was a major shock and prompted him to seek medical advice. He initially thought it might be a complication from his back surgery, but an osteopath friend advised him to go to the hospital immediately, telling him that what he had experienced was a “foot drop,” a neurological symptom.
Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, Mike reluctantly went to Charing Cross Hospital. A scan revealed a mass sitting over his right frontal lobe. He was told they couldn’t confirm whether it was malignant, but that he had to stay in the hospital. The following day, a surgeon informed him they needed to perform a biopsy to determine what the mass was.
After retiring from his professional basketball career, Mike pursued a new path as a full-time freelance personal trainer. Things seemed to be going well, but then his partner noticed some odd changes in his behaviour. Mike, who was never known for being forgetful, started misplacing his keys and leaving the hob on after cooking.
He brushed these episodes off, but the situation became more concerning when he started leaving the front door wide open when he left the house. Despite his partner putting a note on the door to remind him, he continued to be forgetful.
The tipping point came during a shopping trip to Sainsbury’s. Mike’s right leg suddenly stopped working. He couldn’t move his foot at all and was stuck on the spot. After a few terrifying moments, the sensation returned.
The procedure, which Mike was not fully prepared for, involved a part of his hair being shaved and using plasters to mark the insertion points. It was then that he realised the procedure meant they had to go into his head. The surgery was successful in that they were able to remove most of the tumour, but due to the location and risk of brain damage, a small amount was left. The biopsy confirmed it was a cancerous Grade 3 oligodendroglioma.
Following the surgery, Mike’s treatment involved a six-and-a-half-week course of radiotherapy, which caused him severe fatigue, weight loss, and hair loss. He described himself as looking like a “zombie” and felt his existence was being challenged.
This was followed by chemotherapy, which proved to be an even more difficult battle. His body could only handle two of the six planned cycles due to his low neutrophil count, which was a sign that he was struggling to recover.
Mike continues to live with the aftermath of his diagnosis. He still experiences severe, unexplained headaches and periods of confusion, anger, and frustration. He is currently on a concoction of different pain management drugs.
Reflections on his journey
For Mike, basketball has always been more than just a sport—it has been a vehicle for personal growth and discovery. Despite starting late, he found his calling, proving that passion and dedication can overcome conventional timelines. His journey with brain cancer has given him a new purpose.
Mike shared:
“I hope the blog will touch people going through a similar situation. Despite a diagnosis or setback, there is life to be lived. Maybe not exactly the way you envisioned, but it’s still here, and we’re still here. If our journeys can help others, we have a responsibility to share them.”
He believes he was chosen for this journey so he could be the one to share it and raise awareness. “It’s me because I’m the one who’s supposed to help share awareness about these conditions,” he says.
Advocacy and The Brain Charity
Mike’s advocacy extends beyond sports. As a brain cancer patient, he has become a passionate voice for neurological health. He highlights the lack of awareness surrounding brain cancer and other neurological disorders, noting that, “I constantly hear about different types of cancer, but very rarely about brain cancer. It needs to be more in your face because it’s one of the higher-diagnosed cancers, yet there’s so little information.”
Through his role as The Brain Charity’s newest ambassador, Mike hopes to raise awareness of these conditions, open eyes, and help educate the public.
“Knowing there’s a gap in awareness, I want to do as much as possible to fill that void.”
Continuing the journey
Even after retiring from professional play, Mike continues to compete at the Masters level for the over-40s British team. He remains committed to inspiring others, raising awareness, and sharing his story with those who may face their own challenges.
We are thrilled to welcome Mike Martin as The Brain Charity’s newest ambassador. His story, courage, and dedication will help us continue our mission to raise awareness, support research, and provide hope to those affected by brain conditions.
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