Date For Dick Vitale's Return To Broadcasting Has Been Announced

It's been a long time since basketball fans got to hear the voice of beloved broadcaster Dick Vitale. But after numerous battles with cancer and a slew of other ailments, Dickie V is coming back.

On Friday, ESPN released a statement outlining Vitale's return to broadcasting after a lengthy battle with cancer that has included dozens of radiation treatments, chemotherapy and vocal cord surgeries. Vitale said that he was "absolutely ecstatic" to be back in a position to call basketball games again and thanked everyone at ESPN for making this possible.

“I am absolutely ecstatic and I can’t believe this is happening after going through five major vocal cord surgeries, 65 radiation treatments and chemotherapy for six months,” Vitale said in a statement. “It’s been a very tough journey, but all of the prayers and messages from the beautiful fans have inspired me. I can’t thank Jimmy Pitaro and all of my ESPN colleagues who I consider my second family enough for the love they showed me through such a tough time. I just hope that I can offer the people some basketball insights that can bring even more excitement to the game.”

ESPN confirmed that Vitale will be making his return to the broadcast table for the first time this season on January 25 when the Duke Blue Devils play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.