Dick Vitale is officially back in the booth.

The iconic sports announcer — best known for lending his voice to NCAA’s men’s basketball — made his triumphant return to college hoops on Saturday, February 8 during the Duke-Clemson game at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum in South Carolina.

The appearance marked the first game back for the color commentator since April 2023, and after he spent the last three and a half years battling four different types of cancer.

“Tonight, we celebrate the return of a true legend,” the in-arena announcer said in honor of Vitale’s return. “For over four decades, his passion, energy and unmistakable voice have defined the game we love. After a two-year battle with cancer, he’s back where he belongs — courtside, calling the action and inspiring us all.”

In 2021, Vitale received treatment for melanoma and lymphoma. After undergoing surgery for precancerous dysplasia and ulcerous lesions the same year, he couldn’t speak for four months. After he was declared cancer free in 2022, he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in 2023 and subsequently stepped away from announcing. In June 2024, the sports icon announced he underwent another surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck.

In December 2024, Vitale announced that he was once again cancer-free.

“I want to say thanks to all the people,” Vitale said on Saturday while addressing the crowd, which honored his return by giving him a loud standing ovation. “The reception here has been really off the charts. I’m so sorry for being so emotional — I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. This is like my Super Bowl.”

ESPN’s Dick Vitale has some news, and it’s awesome, baby! The legendary men’s college basketball analyst is once again cancer-free, the 85-year-old coach-turned-broadcaster announced on Thursday, December 12, via X. “SANTA CLAUS came early as Dr Rick Brown called & said that my PET SCAN at 7 AM came back CLEAN OF CANCER !” Vitale […]

On Sunday, February 9, the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“To be able to sit courtside and do a game, it beats the hell out of chemotherapy and radiation,” Vitale continued. “And I want to say to all cancer patients out there: Please, listen to me, think positive and have faith. And keep fighting and fighting. I know what you’re going through and it’s not fun.”

Not only has Vitale spent a better part of four years battling his own cancer diagnoses — he has also spent his time dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. In 2022, the 45-year ESPN veteran was honored at the ESPYs as the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, in honor of the former NC State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano.

Valvano, who died in 1993 of cancer at just 47, was also Vitale’s good friend.