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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Silly question, but is it safe for me to play basketball?

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Charleston, IL

I know Magic Johnson retired from the NBA when he acquired the AIDS virus. I recently joined a recreational basketball league through my church. Im HIV- undetectable and healthy, but after the game I noticed some bruising and cuts on my leg from rough interactions with other players on the court. My concern is, is it possible for me to spread HIV this way? Should I quit for the safety of the other players?

September 27
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myHIVteam

Not a silly question at all — it's actually a really thoughtful one! First, a small but important clarification: Magic Johnson has HIV, not AIDS, and his retirement was largely due to the stigma and controversy from other players, not because playing was medically unsafe.

Now, to your main concern — being undetectable is a Show Full Answer

Not a silly question at all — it's actually a really thoughtful one! First, a small but important clarification: Magic Johnson has HIV, not AIDS, and his retirement was largely due to the stigma and controversy from other players, not because playing was medically unsafe.

Now, to your main concern — being undetectable is a huge deal here. When someone is HIV-undetectable, the virus is suppressed to such low levels that transmission is effectively not possible. This is often referred to as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). That said, here are some practical steps to feel confident on the court:

- Cover any open cuts or wounds before and during play — this is good practice for everyone, regardless of HIV status
- If a cut opens during play, step off the court briefly to clean and cover it
- Stay on your treatment to maintain that undetectable status — it protects both you and others

There is absolutely no medical reason to quit the league. Staying active is actually really beneficial for people living with HIV, helping with strength, stress, and overall wellbeing.

Keep playing! 🏀

September 27
A myHIVteam Member

Play all the basketball you want.

October 4
A myHIVteam Member

Not that. I'm more scared of wounds getting infected. Since HIV.

September 27
A myHIVteam Member

Also, after Magic Johnson retired from basketball, a year later he went back to playing basketball.
Magic Johnson returned to play competitive basketball multiple times after his initial retirement in November 1991 following his HIV diagnosis.

1. The 1992 All-Star Game & The "Dream Team"
1992 NBA All-Star Game: Despite having retired before the start of the 1991–92 season, fans voted Magic into the 1992 All-Star Game in Orlando. He suited up, scored 25 points, dished out 9 assists, and won the All-Star Game MVP award.

1992 Summer Olympics: That summer, he played as a co-captain on the iconic United States "Dream Team" in Barcelona, winning an Olympic gold medal.

2. Brief 1992 Preseason Comeback Attempt
Ahead of the 1992–93 NBA season, Magic announced he planned to return to the Lakers full-time. He played in a few exhibition/preseason games, but due to opposition and controversy from several opposing players over his HIV diagnosis, he chose to step back and re-enter retirement before the regular season began.

3. Interim Coaching Stint (1994)
Near the end of the 1993–94 season, Magic briefly returned to the Lakers as an interim head coach, leading the team for 16 games (going 5–11) before stepping down.

4. Official NBA Comeback (1996)
January 30, 1996: At age 36, Magic officially unretired and rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers for the second half of the 1995–96 season.

Shifted primarily to the power forward position, he played 32 regular-season games (and 4 playoff games), averaging 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Following the Lakers' first-round playoff exit against the Houston Rockets in May 1996, he retired from the NBA for the final time.

5. European Stints (1999–2000)
In 1999, Magic bought a partial ownership stake in the Swedish club M7 Borås and played five games for the team.

In 2000, he played briefly for The Great Danes, a Danish basketball team he co-owned.

October 4
A myHIVteam Member

you yourself said that you are undetectable. Undetectable = untransmittable (U=U). You have zero worries to be worried about. My only concern is make sure you put antibiotic ointment on that cut, and cover it up with a bandaid before it gets infected. Infection will hurt you more than your co-players getting infected.

October 4

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