- The basketball presenter was previously treated for melanoma and lymphoma
- His 41-year TV career was interrupted after he needed surgery for dysplasia
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ESPN’s Dick Vitale has revealed his intention to return to broadcasting at the start of the 2024-2025 college basketball season, while predicting the Kentucky Wildcats will win the NCAA Tournament this year.
Nearly three months after announcing he is cancer-free and plans to make another comeback in his 41-year tenure as the leading voice for March Madness, the 84-year-old Vitale realized he needs to continue resting his vocal cords, first and foremost . mainly.
The legendary basketball sportscaster told USA Today via text, “It will take more time for me to get the strength back in my voice.
‘The 35 radiation treatments I underwent for my vocal cord cancer erased the cancer, but it did cause some problems with my vocal cords.’
Vitale, who was previously treated for both melanoma and lymphoma in 2021, had to undergo surgery for dysplasia that same year, forcing him to miss time for games during the 2021-2022 season. However, he returned to ESPN the following season before missing the entire 2023-2024 season.
ESPN’s legendary basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale, 84, is looking forward to a comeback to television
Vitale now describes his overall health as ‘fantastic’ and can’t wait to get back in the arenas in the near future.
He said, “I miss the whole college atmosphere so much during the games because I always love being able to share time with the players, coaches, fans, media and especially my ESPN colleagues.”
Vitale offered his thoughts on the landscape of this year’s NCAA Tournament and the favorites to win it, mentioning his surprise at the constant changes in the rankings throughout the season before the start of March Madness.
Vitale predicts Kentucy will win its ninth national championship at the end of March Madness
He also claimed that Houston, Purdue and Connecticut “separated themselves from the competition,” but that Kentucy and Tennessee, led by “prime time player” Dalton Knecht, are the two teams he enjoyed watching this season.
That’s why he’s so confident that both SECs will make the Final Four, along with Baylor and Connecticut. Ultimately, Vitale expects the Kentucy Wildcats to win their ninth national championship.
“I feel like this is the year that John Calipari will get this incredibly talented team to respond and become national champions in 2024,” he said.
“They have size – explosive talents throughout their lineup and an experienced leading scorer in Antonio Reeves and the nation’s best all-around freshman in Reed Sheppard, plus direct attack off the bench in the exciting Rob Dillingham.”