Chad Posthumus is six-foot-eleven, a dominant rebounder, and has played basketball all over the world, but the most crucial asset to his playing career and his life more broadly has been his mindset.

The Winnipeg native was diagnosed with type one diabetes at seven years old. While this brought extra responsibilities of monitoring his blood sugar levels, Posthumus established from an early age that he would not be held back.

“I haven’t let it affect what I can do, how I’m playing, or limit me in any way,” said Posthumus. “It’s been a part of my life, and as part of my life as breathing is it’s just there. I don’t really utilize it as an excuse. If anything, I can do anything someone else can do and probably better because I am more focused on it and better aware of my body.”

This sense of positivity and perseverance runs throughout the Posthumus family. 

Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day. According to the National Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Surveillance System, one in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with ASD in Canada. Three of Posthumus’ cousins are on the spectrum – two with Autism and one with Asperger’s. He believes that having an open dialogue from a young age can help both kids and adults be more knowledgeable and empathetic about the condition.

 “I think there needs to be more awareness and explaining to kids in school. Instead of treating (those with ASD) differently, we need to make it more inclusive, this is how we can incorporate them,” said Posthumus. “The earlier you are made aware, the more understanding you’re going to have growing up.”

Posthumus also relates this to his experience with Type I Diabetes, explaining that when he was younger he used to go to the bathroom to check his blood sugar levels because he felt different than his classmates. Educating kids on conditions from Diabetes to Autism from a young age is especially crucial given how formative the childhood and teenage years are for an individual’s life. Sports specifically are a vehicle that can be used to promote inclusivity. 

“There needs to be that awareness from kids so that children with autism can be involved with sports at a young age,” said Posthumus. “As adults and parents we need to ask our children if they’ve seen any kids with Autism and we need to encourage them to go talk to them, go listen to them, go learn from them, go be their friend.” 

The Ottawa BlackJack reflects that his cousins have been involved in sports in different capacities. It’s been especially motivating for Posthumus to see their unwavering positive attitude and to watch how his family has worked with his cousins day in and day out to help them navigate the world.

“It’s inspiring to see my cousins be themselves, know who they are, what they can do and enjoying life for what it is. They’re not held back by anything,” said Posthumus. “It’s inspiring to see that whatever hand you have been dealt, you can live life to the fullest.”

Posthumus’ teammates describe him as a fighter, constantly positive and a force on the court. This growth mindset has been especially helpful in navigating a near career-ending hip injury.  

While playing with Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate, he realized a lingering lower body injury was more severe than originally expected. 

Posthumus had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip in early 2018. He returned to play later that year, before having surgery again in August 2018. Although he was itching to get back on the court, Posthumus listened to his body and elected to wait an extra six months. 

And then the pandemic hit.

“I was already unsure of playing with my hip and combined with COVID, combined with the fact that a lot of these leagues around the world are closing and having guys being sent home, I thought, ‘You know what, it might be time to get a real job here.’”

The Morehead State University graduate pursued a variety of different career paths including real estate, managerial positions and running basketball programs. Although Posthumus was well equipped to enter the workforce having graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, his heart was calling him back to the hardwood.

Posthumus has an extensive on-court resume having played professionally in Japan, Argentina and Canada and because of this experience he was recruited by CEBL teams as a personnel coach. Posthumus knew though that his playing career had not finished its course.

“I just wasn't ready to give up basketball,” said Posthumus. “I thought, ‘You know what that’s not really who I am right now, I’m ready to play and be at the top of my game.’ So I was just waiting for that opportunity.” 

Posthumus remained optimistic and patient and eventually earned that chance August 14, 2021 as a member of the Ottawa BlackJacks. The power forward was a last-minute signing after Ottawa had been hit with a COVID-19 outbreak. In his first game back in nearly two years Posthumus wrote his name in the CEBL history books becoming the first player to record a “20-20”, finishing with 23 points and 20 rebounds and leading the short-handed BlackJacks to an quarterfinal victory over the Hamilton Honey Badgers.

This standout performance attracted many teams including the Edmonton Stingers who recruited Posthumus to play on their Basketball Champions League of America (BCLA) squad where he nearly averaged a double-double through six games. The BlackJacks re-signed Posthumus ahead of the 2022 CEBL season, and he also earned the honour of attending the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team training camp ahead of World Cup Qualifying games last month.

At 31 years old, Chad Posthumus is playing some of the best basketball of his life. Despite the obstacles he’s faced, Posthumus has remained positive, inspired by his cousins to live life to the fullest.