Since Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus last week, several more players have followed with positive tests. On Thursday, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart announced he was one of them.
Smart's announcement assured everyone he has been self-quarantining and he hasn't shown any symptoms of the virus. He also sent a crucial reminder of the importance of washing one's hands during this crisis.
Friday, Smart echoed those sentiments on CNN with Chris Cuomo. The 26-year-old described his reaction to finding out he had the virus, and what he's been up to since the positive test.
"I found out yesterday evening sometime. And for me, it was just like a surprise, you know, because like I said, I feel fine. I haven't had any symptoms," Smart said. "So for me, like when they told me I had it, I was just like, oh, wow. You know, and it definitely really makes you alert to what's going on. In the situation.
"I've actually been taking isolation -- the quarantine very, very seriously. I've been quarantined for a while now. Ever since we got back from our road trip and decided to get the team tested. I have been quarantined ever since. Doing everything I'm supposed to. Washing my hands. Germ-x. Everything."
Asked if he is concerned about having the virus in the midst of the pandemic, Smart made it clear there is no need to worry about his health.
"Actually, I'm not -- I'm not that concerned at all," he said. "You know, like I said, I feel fine. No symptoms. And I talked to my doctors and they feel the exact same way with me. And they just told me, you know, you haven't really experienced any symptoms yet. I mean, you already being quarantined. So you should be on that last curve of the ball. And so everybody in my corner feels great on this end. And we just ready to finally get this behind us. And move on, like I said.
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"But we're taking the steps to make sure we keep, you know, everybody else safe around me. My loved ones. And just people out in the streets and making sure we keep the contact limitless and just quarantine. That's the biggest key is just really isolating yourself."
Lastly, Smart explained how even if someone like himself isn't showing symptoms, they should still quarantine themselves to prevent potentially spreading the virus to others unknowingly.
"And that's the key. That's the key right there. Because people that contract the virus can be asymptomatic and not show any symptoms is really hard for anyone to know that they have the virus," Smart said. "And being around a group of people, being around friends and family, and, you know, really not isolating yourself, you are a carrier and you become spreading the virus around with not even knowing. And that's the biggest key because you can't tell just by looking at somebody whether they have it or not because they can still look healthy and normal. And still have it and spread it. And then that's where we get the problem where we have now. I advise, especially around my generation, I'm 26. Take it seriously.
"You know, be positive. I'm okay. I'm going to be okay. But definitely, be alert to what's going on and take the precautions to not only protect yourself. By protecting yourself, you protect others."
Other NBA players to test positive for the coronavirus so far along with Smart and Gobert are Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, Christian Wood, and two unnamed Los Angeles Lakers players. The Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets announced members of the organization have tested positive, though it's currently unclear whether any of them were players.