Derek Fisher, a point guard for the NBA’s Utah Jazz, has requested – and has been granted – a release from his contract. According to Sports Illustrated the Jazz acquired Fisher a year ago. Prior to that he had spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and was part of three NBA championship runs.

So what’s up? Did Fisher suddenly decide he doesn’t like Utah? Not enough money? Not enough prestige? None of the above. Fisher wants to relocate his family to a city that has the best combination of medical providers who can treat his 11-month old daughter who was recently diagnosed with cancer of the eye. He’s willing to give up his career to do that. “Life for me outweighs the game of basketball,” he recently told reporters.

While he hasn’t ruled out playing for another NBA team, he wonders aloud that because he is 33 years old, 6’1” tall, and only averaged 10 points per game for the Jazz whether any team would want him. A professional team in any sport would be foolish to pass on the opportunity to have a man with this kind of character and integrity in their clubhouse, influencing the other players, regardless of whether he ever scored another point.