Alex Poythress dealing with serious health issue, per report

Former Kentucky player Alex Poythress is reportedly dealing with a serious health issue.

According to Basket News and Eurohoops, Poythress is dealing with hemiparesis, which weakens the entire side of one’s body, in his face. Now suiting up for Olimpia Milano of the Italian League, the 30-year-old played just six minutes during a game on Friday before sitting out entirely on Sunday.

Poythress’ head coach, Etorre Messina, revealed the issue.

“He’s sick too. He returned from the games in Africa, and he has a sort of hemiparesis on his face,” Messina said of Poythress, per Basket News. “It’s not known whether it’s of a nervous origin or a virus. He made the effort the other night, but it bothers him.”

Poythress is coming off an impressive stretch of play at the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers last month. He was able to represent Ivory Coast, averaging 21 points and 7.3 rebounds across three outings (all wins), but has apparently returned to Italy with a severe injury.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who coached Poythress in Lexington from 2012-16, asked Monday morning for prayers to be sent Poythress’ way.

I got word last night that @AlexTheGreat22 has developed an illness while playing basketball over in Europe. One of the best athletes and kindest people I’ve ever coached…a good man! #BBN, let’s pool some prayers and send them his way!! pic.twitter.com/WlQsgo4Qxj

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 4, 2024

Poythress arrived at UK ahead of the 2012-13 season and quickly made himself known. He was tabbed to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2013 but saw a reduced role as a sophomore in 2013-14. The 6-foot-9 forward then tore his ACL eight games into his junior season before returning for a senior campaign in 2015-16. Poythress averaged 10.2 points and six rebounds per outing across 31 contests while shooting 60.1 percent from the field in his final college season.

After his college career, Poythress has bounced around the world to play basketball. He spent a couple of seasons with the NBA and the D-League (now the G League) before making stops in Turkey, Russia, Israel, and now Italy. He’s currently averaging 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game for Milan.

Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for Alex The Great.