Rick Carlisle says NBA will research COVID-19 vaccine ‘thoroughly’ before deciding if it should be mandatory or not

As multiple COVID-19 vaccines are in the final stages of approval, reports have circulated about how the NBA plans to approach mandatory or voluntary vaccination for players, coaches and team and league employees.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, also the president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, isn’t for a rigid requirement. But he talked before the Mavericks’ preseason opener Saturday about his personal willingness to receive the vaccine.

“The NBA will certainly research it thoroughly,” Carlisle said. “Coming off the success of [the 2019-20 season restart near] Orlando and all that, I don’t think there’s any reason to question the data that they come up with because they research everything very, very thoroughly.”

The U.S. on Friday became the sixth country to clear the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Carlisle’s wife, Donna, is an infectious disease doctor who he said has researched similar topics for years.

“In her mind,” Carlisle said, “it’s really remarkable the progress that they’ve made in this period of time and the results that they’re showing.”

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