Sanford Health doctor helps Team USA win gold

Team USA Basketball is sprinting. Time is running out. The gold medal game is long over. The Americans are coming home champions. But first they have to make their connecting flight in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and at this moment, it’s a little up in the air.

Stephen Foley, M.D., a Sanford Health family medicine physician, is along for this international run through terminals and gates. Dr. Foley is one of Team USA’s physicians at FIBA AmeriCup 2017.

The USA squad, comprised of G League prospects, is led by former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy and former Sioux Falls Skyforce head coach Mo McHone. For 12 days in August and September, Foley helped keep the team healthy and ready for competition.

This isn’t Foley’s first experience with USA Basketball. A team doctor for the Sioux Falls Skyforce for more than 25 years, he has traveled with USA teams to various international tournaments in the Dominican Republic, Toronto, Mexico and throughout South America.

His affiliation with the Skyforce and relationship with McHone helped get his foot in the door with the national team years ago.

“A lot of life is timing, and I have been fortunate enough to be involved in several of these events,” Foley said.

Foley played high school basketball and said he has always loved the sport. His time with USA Basketball and the Skyforce is a way to keep him in the game.

“Over the years, I’ve gotten to cover a lot of sporting events, but basketball has always been in the forefront,” he said.

And his time behind the bench for the Team USA isn’t over just yet. He said he’ll likely travel with the team to future tournaments leading up to the World Championships in 2019. That’s when NBA players will be going for the gold. At that point, NBA doctors will take Foley’s spot on the medical roster.

But until then, he’ll be there for the team when he’s needed.

“You get the call from USA Basketball, and you get to represent your country, you do it,” said Foley.

The plane has been held for the team. The players and staff board. The other passengers cheer. What a golden feeling.