Dick Vitale Makes Career Announcement After Personal News

But in 2021, Vitale began facing health challenges after being diagnosed with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. A few months later, he was also diagnosed with lymphoma. After undergoing months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Vitale was diagnosed with another form of cancer, this time on his vocal cords, before later battling lymph node cancer as well.

Vitale missed nearly two years of calling games before revealing he was finally cancer-free in December 2024. He returned to the broadcast booth two months later, and while he has remained active since, he has not worked as frequently due to his age and life after cancer.

And on Tuesday, Vitale had some exciting news to share after being cancer-free for more than a year, revealing that he will call his first-ever NCAA Tournament game. Vitale will be joined by Auburn and Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley, along with Brian Anderson, to call the First Four matchup between the No. 11 seeds Texas Longhorns and NC State Wolfpack, which will air Tuesday on TruTV.

"I am so enthused to join BRIAN ANDERSON a fab play by play announcer - ⁦ @jennydell ⁩ sideline reporter & this dude named CHARLES the real Sir Charles Barkley who is a tv SuperstarJoin us 9pm ⁦@truTV ⁩@PackMensBball ⁩vs ⁦@TexasMBB," Vitale wrote on X. "In Maui tournament this year was a shootout btw @CoachWadeNCSU ‘s five & @TexasMBB ‘s @SMillerUT ‘s Longhorns. Texas won 102-97 - stakes lot higher tonight - both teams all yr have offensively efficient - the TEAM that digs in on defense will advance & face @BYUMBB Friday in Portland."

The winner of Texas vs. NC State, which begins Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. ET, will move on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face AJ Dybantsa and the No. 6 seed BYU Cougars.