Chris Wright was playing professional basketball in Turkey last year , working toward achieving his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA , when something strange happened at the end of practice . `` I 'm running sprints , just normal sprints , and I run and touch the baseline , go back and my foot gives out , '' said Wright , now 23 . `` I just thought I slipped or something like that . But I noticed my foot started getting numb and it just got progressively worse . '' By the time Wright showed up to practice the next morning , he had lost feeling in his right leg . Before practice was over , the numbness had spread to the entire right side of his body . But doctors initially said nothing was wrong and told him to take it easy . `` They told me just to rest for a day and see how it felt in the morning , '' he remembered . `` When I went back ... it had gotten worse . It was harder for me to walk , it had spread to my left foot and it just became , basically taking over my body -- it was crazy . '' Cancer patient runs 50 marathons in 50 states . Eventually Wright found a specialist and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis , a debilitating disease that involves the immune system attacking the central nervous system . He had never heard of it before . `` A few of my teammates knew exactly what it was , but I was n't aware , '' he said . Fortunately , Wright was in peak physical condition at the time of his diagnosis , something he credits for how well he 's doing today . `` Good physical condition , eating right , getting the proper rest , that all plays a major role , '' he explained . `` Obviously you have to change a few things , you ca n't be going out all the time . ... But definitely my conditioning and being an athlete has definitely , definitely played a major role . '' Not only did Wright return to the court less than three months after being diagnosed , he made history two weeks ago when he signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks . With the stroke of a pen , Wright became the first person with MS to play in the NBA . The Mavericks did not re-sign Wright when the 10-day contract expired . 'American Idol ' favorite : I was a walking target . Meanwhile , he said , `` I 'm doing pretty well . I have to do an IV injection once every month , that takes about a two-hour process , '' he said . Still , he said , `` it 's all been a blessing . '' Asked what he would tell other patients with MS , Wright did n't hesitate : . `` Do n't be afraid to step out and do what you want to do , '' he said . `` Do n't believe it 's a crippling disease that will just handle you the rest of your life . Yeah , there may be limitations , but you can still live your life . And I just wear that sign on my chest proudly , and you know , I 'm a part of the MS society . ''
Chris Wright was the first NBA player with multiple sclerosis . He was signed to a rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks . Despite his illness , ` ` It 's all been a dream , '' Wright says .