Dick Vitale's resiliency over the last couple of years cannot be overstated.
The legendary ESPN college basketball analyst has battled three different types of cancer since 2020.
Vitale had multiple surgeries to remove a melanoma before being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021. He announced that he was cancer-free in August 2022, but he was diagnosed with cancer in his vocal cords this past July.
Vitale was confident he would prevail again, and he wasn't wrong. He confirmed on Monday, Nov. 13, that his cancer was gone, but he added that he would have to delay the debut of his 45th season calling men's college basketball games for ESPN as he works toward a full recovery.
When can you expect to hear Dickie V's iconic voice on ESPN college hoops broadcasts? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
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Dick Vitale health update
Vitale announced that he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in July. He received six weeks of radiation treatments and was ordered to rest his voice if he wanted to be able to potentially return for the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Vitale provided an update in October that his voice had responded well to the treatment and that he expected to return for his 45th season of calling college hoops games for ESPN.
On Monday, Nov. 13, he provided another update through a press release from ESPN. Vitale announced that while he will not be available to return for the Champions Classic on Tuesday as he had hoped, he will be able to get back into the broadcast booth sometime soon.
“While I’m disappointed with the latest developments, I remain hopeful,” Vitale said. “The cancer is gone, which is amazing news, yet the impact of the treatments has taken its toll on my voice and requires more healing.
“With the season started, I am jumping out of my shoes to be back in the college basketball arenas, calling the game I love and being around so many great colleagues and fans," Vitale continued.
"I have to listen to the medical experts, who have been so good to me, and with some more rest, I know I will be back for my 45th season. I’ve been so touched by the amazing response I’ve received.”
The press release added that Vitale has no specific return date but the health of his throat will be monitored closely by his physician, Dr. Steven Zeitels.
How old is Dick Vitale?
Vitale is 84 years old, born on June 9, 1939, in New Jersey.
He is a former high school, college and NBA coach and has been calling college basketball games for ESPN since 1979.