"It was great catching up with my friend": Arkansas' John Calipari "lifted spirits" of Dick Vitale amid his cancer battle

Arkansas coach and Naismith Hall of Famer John Calipari paid a visit to the home of legendary college basketball announcer and fellow Naismith HOF honoree Dick Vitale in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Florida, on Sunday.

Calipari, who guided Kentucky to a national championship in 2012, posted photos of his visit to Vitale on X.

The sportscaster was diagnosed with neck cancer in July and is undergoing several rounds of radiation treatment to prevent the cancer from spreading.

In response, Vitale posted a two-minute video on X with Calipari, who was surprised with how the former ESPN sportscaster appeared despite his battle with cancer. The Razorbacks' coach responded with a tweet:

"It was great catching up with my friend @DickieV!"

In the video, John Calipari reminisced the moments he had with Vitale, who looked strong despite the effects of the treatment he's having. The Arkansas coach described Vitale as a friend to college basketball coaches and players, alike.

The US sportscasting icon, for his part, appreciated John Calipari's surprise visit and described that it meant a lot for him. He shared in the video that the coach prayed for him during his previous bouts with cancer.

"It means a lot for me. John prayed for me constantly. Sends me a message (saying) 'I'm in church today. Dick, I'm praying for you. The radiation treatment is tough. Prayers and friends like him keep me fighting," Vitale said [0:40-1:12].

"Because of the inspiration of people like 'Cal' and people like you, the fans, sending me prayers. It keeps me going on to think positive and have faith," he added. [1:37-1:52]

As of the moment, the video has reached over 215,000 views on X and has had more than 3,700 likes.

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John Calipari's Arkansas in the running for Finnish prospect

John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks are welcoming one of the five-star recruits for the 2026 class in their campus in Fayetteville.

Finnish power forward Miikka Muurinen is set to visit Arkansas on Sept. 21 as a part of a monthlong, four-school trip that would help him decide on which school should he pick for college.

Muurinnen, who visited Utah on Sept. 7 and Michigan on Sept. 14, will have a chance to check on the Arkansas' college basketball program and possibly meet with the former NCAA champion coach and Hall of Famer.

Scouting reports indicate that the Finnish star, who climbed nearly 40 spots in the 2026 prospect rankings to No. 6 nationally and No. 1 in the power forward spot, as per 247 Sports, can effectively play four positions and run the floor well. He also has an underrated leaping ability and a great perimeter defender.

Muurinen played six games in the EYBL Peach Jam in July for the Bradley Beal Elite. He averaged 18 points, four rebounds and one block per game, shooting 62% from the floor, 50% from the 3-point area and 90% from the free throw line.