Donald Sterling Refused to Pay for Coach’s Cancer Surgery: “It Was Like $70,000 or More”
The Legacy of Donald Sterling and the Clippers’ Struggles
Donald Sterling’s reputation as one of the worst owners in professional sports history is firmly established. Under his leadership, the Los Angeles Clippers became a symbol of failure, making the postseason only six times between 1981 and 2014. His tenure was marked by a lack of support for his players, both on and off the court. A particularly infamous moment came when a recording of Sterling making racist comments surfaced, ultimately leading to his permanent ban from the NBA.
Kim Hughes’ Fight Against Prostate Cancer
One of the most troubling episodes during Sterling’s ownership involved assistant coach Kim Hughes, who faced a life-threatening situation in 2004. Hughes, a former NBA center who played six seasons before transitioning into coaching, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was advised that he could wait a few months before undergoing surgery. However, Hughes wanted to have the procedure done as soon as possible so he could be with the Clippers when the season started.
Hughes found a doctor who could perform the surgery just a week after his diagnosis, but there was a major obstacle: he wasn’t covered by the Clippers’ insurance plan. This meant that if he proceeded with this specific doctor, he would have to pay for the surgery himself. While the team did not directly address the issue with Hughes, officials relayed to his agent the reason why they wouldn’t cover the cost.
“The reason they couldn’t pay for the surgery is if they paid for mine, if anybody else had a problem — head coach, secretary, assistant coach — if they paid for mine, the onus would be on them for everybody else,” Hughes explained to ESPN.
The Players Step Up
Despite the team’s refusal to help, Hughes decided to proceed with the surgery on his own. The cost of the operation was substantial, reaching into the five figures. Knowing he would need financial assistance, Hughes turned to the players on the team. Head coach Mike Dunleavy spoke to the players about Hughes’ situation, and some, including Corey Maggette, stepped forward to help.
“Kim was one of our coaches and he’s a really good friend of mine,” Maggette recalled. “He was in a situation where the Clippers’ medical coverage wouldn’t cover his surgery. I thought it was a great opportunity to help someone in need, to do something that Christ would do.”
“It shows your humanity, that you care for other people and not just yourself. Kim was in a life-and-death situation,” the player added.
A Life-Saving Gesture
Hughes eventually underwent the surgery, which saved his life. Afterward, he expressed immense gratitude to the players who contributed to his medical expenses. “Those guys saved my life,” Hughes emphasized. “They paid the whole medical bill. It was like $70,000 or more. It wasn’t cheap. It showed you what classy people they are. They didn’t want me talking about it; they didn’t want the recognition because they simply felt it was the right thing to do.”
Sterling’s Indifference
While Sterling, whose net worth is in the billions, could have easily covered Hughes’ medical costs, he chose to remain indifferent. Instead of stepping in, he allowed the players to handle the situation, highlighting the lack of compassion that defined his time as owner of the Clippers.
Hughes’ Continued Career and Passing
After recovering from his surgery, Hughes continued his coaching career until 2016. Tragically, he passed away in August 2025 at the age of 73. His story remains a powerful reminder of the impact that individuals can have, even in the face of institutional neglect.
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