Dick Vitale diagnosed with form of cancer for second time

The college basketball world received a blow Monday afternoon: legendary ESPN analyst Dick Vitale has been diagnosed with a form of cancer for the second time in as many months.

Vitale, who has been a central figure of the college basketball scene for years, announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma. On Monday, he revealed he has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

The former NBA coach underwent multiple surgeries to remove melanoma, which is now clear. Vitale has been told by doctors that the two cancers are unrelated. He is allowed to continue working and will manage his schedule around his chemo treatments.

“The plan is to treat my lymphoma with steroids and six months of chemotherapy,” Dick Vitale wrote in a letter on ESPN. “The medical experts tell me it has a 90% cure rate. They say I can continue to work so I will have to manage my work schedule around my chemo schedule as they will monitor my test results along the way.”

“I will fight with all my heart in dealing with the chemo.”

Vitale has worked to raise money for the fight against cancer, particularly for child forms. He joined ESPN as a personality in 1979 and covered every Duke vs. UNC basketball game up until 2015. He recently signed a contract with the network through the 2022–23 season.

Dick Vitale releases 2021-22 preseason All-American picks

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale has released his preseason All-American picks. His veteran heavy list includes 25 players, making up five teams heading into the 2021-22 season.

In a controversial move, Vitale opted to exclude freshmen from his preseason All-American team in favor of veterans. He explained the decision in his introduction.

“A lot of people put freshmen on their preseason All-America teams,” Vitale wrote for ESPN. “I believe we have to see them on the collegiate court before we name them All-Americans. I’m sure you will see players like Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga, Jalen Duren of Memphis and Michigan’s Caleb Houstan on the postseason team.”

With the expanded five-team format and no freshmen, there are plenty spots for some of basketball’s brightest stars in Dick Vitale’s preseason All-American team. Here is a look at who made the cut ahead of the 2021-22 season.

First team

Drew Timme, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Kofi Cockburn, Illinois Fighting Illini

Collin Gillespie, Villanova Wildcats

Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana Hoosiers

Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse Orange