Story by
How Clemson basketball reacted to Dick Vitale returning to call game vs Duke
- Story by
- How Clemson basketball reacted to Dick Vitale returning to call game vs Duke
CLEMSON — Even Clemson basketball players recognized the importance of Dick Vitale 's return.
Vitale , 85, was on the call for No. 21 Clemson 's 77-71 upset win vs. No. 2 Duke (20-3, 12-1 ACC) on Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum with Dave O'Brien and Cory Alexander on ESPN. It was Vitale's first time announcing a men's college basketball game since April 3, 2023, when he called the international broadcast of the San Diego State vs. UConn national championship.
Advertisement
Vitale made his long-awaited return after having fought melanoma, lymphoma, and vocal cord and lymph node cancer the past three years. Clemson guard Chase Hunter knew Saturday's Top 25 ACC game was important, but Vitale's presence raised the stakes even higher.
"The fact that he's at our first game back (in) two years, it's definitely something we all thought about," Hunter said. "He's big in the college hoops world. I've been watching college basketball all my life, and he's someone I admire, so it was big to have him here."
Vitale greeted and took photos with fans Saturday before the game. Clemson honored him with a tribute on the videoboard moments before tipoff, showing images of Vitale at Littlejohn Coliseum and had "Welcome back, baby!" on the board.
Fans, coaches and players gave Vitale a standing ovation. He rose from his seat and waved to the crowd. Clemson coach Brad Brownell said he found out about Vitale's return on Jan. 31 and was proud to see him back broadcasting.
Advertisement
"It's so good for college basketball, what he means for college basketball," Brownell said. " . . . He changed college basketball for television, so to have him back where he belongs is terrific."
MORE: What Dick Vitale, 85, said in emotional return from cancer battles at Duke-Clemson: 'My Super Bowl'
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dick Vitale: Clemson's Chase Hunter, Brad Brownell reacted to return
