‘Basketball Wives’ star Brandi Maxiell hospitalized with ‘severe’ COVID-19 diagnosis
Brandi Maxiell may be considered high-risk and immune-compromised after battling ovarian cancer in 2007.
Former Basketball Wives star Brandi Maxiell has been hospitalized with severe complications due to an infection of COVID-19.
Maxiell, 37, is married to NBA player Jason Maxiell, who is best known for his eight-year tenure on the Detroit Pistons.
Her sister, Jayde Penn, spoke to The Shade Room confirming Brandi’s hospitalization.
“My sister has been diagnosed with a severe case of COVID-19 and was hospitalized Thursday night after having trouble breathing,” Penn said. “We would like to ask everyone to please keep her in your prayers as she continues to fight through this. We love you all and please stay safe!”
Brandi Maxiell may be considered high-risk and immune-compromised after battling ovarian cancer in 2007. She went into remission in 2009 and has recovered from her illness, but cancer patients do have immune system changes.
In 2014, she penned an article for Essence in which she shared that she experienced “all the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer” at 24. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and said the experience matured she and her husband into adults.
DJ Duffey, Maxiell’s best friend, who also appeared with her on Basketball Wives, posted a picture on Instagram asking for everyone to send good energy.
“Wherever you are right now,” she wrote, “just uplift her in prayer please.”
Read More: Pelosi: New COVID-19 relief package coming soon
Jason Maxiell has not released a statement about his wife’s medical condition. The couple has one child together, Jason Maxiell II.
The couple appeared on OWN’s Iyanla, Fix My Life in 2018, where Jason Maxiell revealed that he had been unfaithful in his marriage with, potentially, hundreds of women.
The Maxiells, however, remained together.
Read More: CeCe Winans, reacting to backlash, says role in Trump COVID-19 ad blitz is ‘not political at all’
Brandi Maxiell departed Basketball Wives in 2016 after a feud with Shaunie O’Neal.
The show has run for eight seasons, VH1 has not confirmed if the show will be coming back.
In her Essence article, Brandi wrote words that are also appropriate for her current medical condition: “When God wants your attention, he’ll find a way to get it. For me, it took cancer. I know God is real because he listened and answered my prayers. My spirituality deepened during this health crisis because he brought me out of the storm.”
Have you subscribed to theGrio’s “Dear Culture” podcast? Download our newest episodes now!
