"Come to a game"- Kentucky HC Mark Pope has an uplifting message for CBB insider Dick Vitale during cancer battle

Kentucky saw their former coach, John Calipari, leave for the Arkansas job before Mark Pope was hired for the vacant position. Ever since, Pope has been making the headlines at the program.

Recently, Pope sent out a special message to legendary coach in the basketball universe, Dick Vitale, who is currently battling cancer. He sent the video to tell him that everyone, including him, loves him and wishes him to get better soon.

He said in the video:

"Coach Vitale, it's coach Pope at the University of Kentucky. Listen, I heard that you're back, engaged in the midst of this struggle and I just want you to know this, man: You have, you know this, but you have so many people around this world that love you, including me, that are cheering for you and praying for you and giving you all the love we possibly can."

He further invited Vitale to stop by at a practice or a game at Kentucky, a great gesture towards a fellow coach fighting cancer.

"Get better soon because you have got to make a trip here to the Univeristy of Kentucky to come join of for practice, man. Come to a game. Let's go, baby!" he added.

The Basketball Hall of Fame coach, Vitale, expressed his gratitude towards Pope and others for the good wishes by posting the video on X.

"Just received a video message form @KentuckyMBB @CoachMarkPope about my recent cancer surgery. I have received many prayers from BBN fans & they are truly appreciated," wrote Vitale in the caption.

Dick Vitale was an assistant coach at Rutgers University during 1971-1973. He was later hired as the head coach of the University of Detroit where he led the program to the 1977 NCAA tournament after which he transitioned to the NBA.

He took over the head coach responsibility of the Detroit Pistons in 1978. However, his health conditions didn't allow him to succeed there and as a result, he was fired just after 12 games (4-8 overall) in his second season for the team.

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Dick Vitale undergoes another cancer surgery

Yet again, lymph node cancer was detected in Dick Vitale's neck region and he underwent surgery to remove it. He posted the news on X:

"THANKS to those that have flooded me with prayers. I was happy to hear my surgeon Dr Volsar say he was able to remove the cancerous lymph nodes in my neck. However I must be honest waiting for the result of the lymph nodes sent to PATHOLOGY for analysis scares me," wrote Dick Vitale.

Legendary basketball college basketball announcer, Dick Vitale, has had a history of cancer for a few years. He has declared himself "cancer-free" twice in 2022 and 2023.