Vitale to miss rest of hoops season

Dick Vitale is shutting it down for the rest of the college basketball season, he announced Monday.

The 82-year-old will spend the rest of the college basketball season resting his throat and voice ahead of necessary surgery.

Vitale made a brief return to ESPN’s broadcast in November after being diagnosed with melanoma and lymphoma, but had spent recent weeks resting after being diagnosed with dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords.

“Well, today, Dr. Z. delivered the news that even though the rest really helped, I need to give my voice an even longer “T.O., Baby!” And there is no doubt I will soon need surgery to solve my Dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords,” Vitale said in a statement.

“So, while I’m heartbroken that I won’t appear on ESPN for the rest of this season, I’m encouraged by the progress. In fact, it appears that by resting my voice for the past three weeks, I’ve reduced the inflammation by 60 percent. Let’s hope the added rest will help it heal some more, and things will look even better when I go for my next follow-up visit on Feb. 16. Once the inflammation heals, we will set a date for surgery.”

This health concern is separate from his cancer diagnoses, Vitale said. His ongoing chemo treatment for lymphoma “continues to progress positively.”

“You know I am an eternal optimist who acts like he’s a teenager,” Vitale said. “Yet there is no doubt these past five months have been emotionally and physically frustrating. I am so appreciative of the love and care demonstrated by the incredible members of the medical community. And I will be forever grateful for the calls, texts, and social media expressions of encouragement from friends, colleagues, fans, media and members of my ESPN family. I love people, and I’m honored to receive such overwhelming support.”