Tsimafei Paraliou on his return to basketball following cancer battle
Tsimafei Paraliou spent nearly ten years in the Minsk system. He came up through the youth structure, played in the EuroCup, and became a champion of Belarus. "BC Minsk is the place where I became the player I am," he says. "The youth project gave me a fundamental base. There I saw what real top-level sport looks like. I still rely on that experience today." He also represented Belarus in 3×3, finishing top 4 in Europe with the youth national team.
His experience included constant adaptation. At 17, he left for an American school. At 20, he played in Kazakhstan, then abroad. After that, finding common ground with teammates became easier.
In the fall of 2022, at 25, he was diagnosed with cancer. Sixteen lesions in sixteen organs. Six rounds of chemo. He wasn't supposed to make it. But he had a reason to fight – his unborn daughter. He survived, recovered, and returned to basketball. Now he's suiting up for Team Minsk at Phygital Contenders Astana 2026.
In the fall of 2022, at 25, you were diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt's lymphoma. What helped you hold on?
The diagnosis was severe. I'm immensely grateful to our doctors from the club and the national team. This form of cancer progresses very quickly: in two weeks, 16 lesions formed in 16 organs. If not for their promptness, the outcome could have been very different. I found out by chance. I went to see an oncologist, and he saw the results and asked if I was ready to stay at the hospital immediately. It was a shock.
Who supported you?
Support came from everywhere: the federation, doctors, the team, my family. The Minsk club helped financially and organizationally. When a medication was urgently needed, the coaches went abroad to get it. The guys who won a tournament with a prize fund gave me the entire amount.
What helped you psychologically?
I quickly built trust with the doctors. Later, I started bringing a laptop to the hospital - movies and games helped take my mind off things during the 24/7 IV drips.
You mentioned that the expectation of your child's birth became a huge motivation. How did this hope help you fight?
This was key. When the doctor told me the diagnosis, the first thing I asked was, "Will I live until December? Because my daughter is about to be born, and I want to hold her in my arms." He didn't give me any guarantees, but he said they would try. And that became the most powerful motivator. My belief is that in any difficult situation, the most important thing is your psychological attitude. You have to tell yourself that everything will be fine. My wife and I continued going to stores, buying baby things – and that kept our fighting spirit alive.
Against all obstacles, you recovered and returned to professional basketball. What was the hardest part about coming back?
By the fourth round of chemotherapy, there were almost no metastases left. But after finishing the treatment, I decided to start with something simple – push-ups. On the first day, I barely managed one push-up, collapsed, and by the evening I had a fever: my body was in shock. But day by day, I worked my way up to 25 push-ups, then started training more actively. The hardest part turned out to be the psychological barriers – doubts about whether I could do it. But the desire was stronger. I told myself: if I don't try, I'll never know. By the summer, I was already training with the team. Then I tried myself in the Media League, and in January, I signed a contract with BC Borisfen. I am infinitely grateful to the club for their trust and understanding of the risks.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young athlete who is facing a serious illness or injury, what would you say?
First, strictly listen to your doctors and don't neglect check-ups. In sport, people often endure until the very last moment – and that's dangerous. Second, maintain faith in yourself and a positive attitude. Without that, it's very difficult.
This applies not just to basketball, but to any athlete, any person. Your health comes first. Everything else: the game, the titles, the career – it can wait. You can't play if you're not alive.
Now you are trying yourself in phygital basketball. What do you think of it, and what are your expectations for the upcoming tournament?
It's a truly new and interesting format. Success comes from combining play on the court and in a basketball videogame – a big lead in the virtual part leaves the opponent with little chance during the 10 minutes of running time. On the court, the game is tough: 2×2 is very dynamic, you get tired quickly, and a lot depends on three-pointers. This is basketball that requires character. For now, I am training, and most likely, I will only play on the court – I still need to improve my cyber skills. But there is time, we'll see.
What is it about Phygital Contenders that you are most looking forward to?
International tournaments are always a special responsibility and excitement. The opportunity to prove yourself against other teams and athletes from around the world, to gain experience, which there isn't much of today. For me, this has always been extra motivation and a reason to give my absolute best.
What matters more to you now: winning on the court or the mere fact that you are playing basketball again?
In the heat of the game, for any professional athlete, there is no option of it’s ok if we lose". We always go out to win. But looking back, the main thing for me now is that I am alive, healthy, and playing basketball again.
