MIES (Switzerland) - When Bryan Alberts steps onto the 3x3 court, he’s not just competing against elite defenders. He's also in a constant, unseen battle with his own body. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 10 years old, the Dutch-American sharpshooter for Team Amsterdam RABOBANK and Team Netherlands has spent most of his life managing blood sugar levels while chasing basketball dreams across the world.
"I was pretty young, so I don’t remember much of life before diabetes," Alberts recalls. "But I realized early on that my life had to be more calculated than most. I used to prick my finger 10 times a day and give myself insulin shots with every meal. Everything had to be planned, no spontaneity, no surprises."
That sense of structure would become both a necessity and an advantage. For a player in a sport as explosive and unpredictable as 3x3, Alberts’ meticulous preparation is actually what keeps him elite.
Learning to adjust and persevere
In the early years, discipline was the hardest lesson.
"I’ve always had a sweet tooth," Alberts admits. "Letting go of candy was tough as a kid. It still is. But even harder was stepping off the court during games when my blood sugar wasn’t right. I’d have to sit out for 15 or 30 minutes while my teammates kept playing. I felt like I was letting them down."
Over time, though, he learned that success wasn’t about fighting diabetes. It was about understanding it.
His gameday routine now starts the night before: a high complex-carb dinner, plenty of electrolytes and a strict meal schedule the next morning.
"I eat three hours before I play so there’s no insulin active in my system," he explains. "Then I check my blood sugar every 30 minutes until tip-off. I keep glucose tablets on the bench during games, just in case."
Breakthrough in Bucharest
That discipline and consistency paid off in a big way this past weekend, when Team Amsterdam RABOBANK captured their first FIBA 3x3 World Tour win of the 2025 season in Bucharest.
For Alberts, it wasn’t just another trophy. It was validation.
"Yeah, it was a long time coming," he admits. "But we always believed in just getting better every tournament even if it didn’t show up in the results. It paid off, and what really makes me happy is that it was a good team effort. Everyone was pulling their weight and contributed to the win! Hopefully we can ride this confidence until the finals!"
His words carry quiet pride not just for the result, but for the process behind it. Every glucose check, every meal planned, every disciplined routine feeds into the moments that define champions.
Representing the Oranje with pride
Beyond pro circuit success, Alberts has also flown the flag for Team Netherlands at both the FIBA 3x3 World Cup and Europe Cup 2025, calling it a deeply personal honor.
"It gave me great pride," he says. "To see my family from the Netherlands cheering for me. That meant a lot."
Balancing national duty with 3x3’s demanding travel schedule adds another layer of complexity for a player managing diabetes.
"When I’m on the road, time zones always mess me up," he explains. "My insulin schedule is tied to specific times, and when that rhythm breaks, my blood sugar can be unpredictable. That’s when I really have to double down, check more often, hydrate more, and stay patient."
That discipline extends beyond the court.
"When I’m on the road, time zones always mess me up," he explains. "My insulin schedule is tied to specific times, and when that rhythm breaks, my blood sugar can be unpredictable. That’s when I really have to double down, to check more often, hydrate more, and stay patient."
Finding balance through discipline and perspective
Living with diabetes, Alberts has developed a perspective that transcends sport.
"It’s taught me discipline and to keep a regiment no matter what," he says. "But also that there’s more to life. Health is the most important."
Though he has support from a doctor and his girlfriend in Amsterdam, Alberts shoulders most of the responsibility himself.
"It’s really all on me," he says. "I have to figure out what works. Every day is a new challenge."
That independence has become part of his identity, both as an athlete and as a person who refuses to be defined by limitations.
A message for those walking a similar path
When asked what he’d tell young athletes newly diagnosed with diabetes, Alberts doesn’t hesitate.
"Be resilient and find your own path," he shares. "People told me I wouldn’t get a scholarship because of my diabetes, that I should stop playing, that I wouldn’t get a pro contract. But if you keep going, you’ll find your way and you’ll enjoy it even more."
His message for World Diabetes Day is simple yet powerful:
"Be proud to be diabetic. Defy the odds. Don’t let others stop you from living life to the fullest."
FIBA