"You have to live your life. If I want to live life, I have to choose to put my best foot forward and attack it with a positive mentality. I was in some really bad shape. With less than a minute on the clock, Hardy dribbled to the basket, exchanged a knowing smile with Chicagos Bryce Hopkins and scored his last basket. His family doesnt doubt that hell be ready for whatever is next. He is fighting it head on. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about wide receiver Justin Hardy on ESPN. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Lisa Salters and Jeff Van Gundy shared some of his remarkable story on the ABC telecast. He died of stomach cancer at age 22. We were slow to start and the second half we were still feeling a little slow." Hardy, a 6-foot-5 forward, scored a game-high 22 points and dunked twice on alley-oop passes from guard Zach Mitchell. Through cancer, Washington U. basketball player shows hes just built different. Olin Business I told him he couldnt get COVID because hes been through so much, she said. = Now, while still in treatment for his stage four stomach cancer, Hardy is back to scoring just under 11 points per game the second highest on the team and was an integral part of the No. Live Like Bella was founded in 2013 with the mission to help children with cancer maintain the same love for life that Bella had. Juckem hadnt considered the possibility, but still, the news didnt really surprise him. Many dark days followed the news of a cancer that is diagnosed, on average, at the age of 68. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The most the senior had done since March was walk his dog around the block. Hardy is a really good basketball player, KSDK reports. He was 22. Our community is forever changed by his legacy of love and strength.. We were in awe on a daily basis.. The NBA G League Ignite team landed its second high-profile commitment from the class of 2021 on Saturday as five-star shooting guard Jaden Hardy announced he plans to sign with the professional . display: none !important; I felt like most of things were gone and I was finished playing basketball.. Hailing from . The love was always there but now that hes gotten to a place of pure happiness and joy, that love is so much more evident in his life, said Nolan. The criminal recently said he was still able to do '95 press-ups in 30 seconds' and exercises regularly. Did you encounter any technical issues? The community also came together to donate more than $100,000 to Hardys GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses and launch the HardyStrong Scholarship. Hardy played at Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III institution, and worked toward a double-major in accounting and finance while undergoing treatments for Stage 4 cancer. No matter what was happening on the scoreboard and we had plenty of success we felt like every day was a win because we were in it together.. The main reason was their faith and belief God was going to heal them..and he did. From the moment he stepped foot on this campus, he has been a pillar both on and off the floor. His diagnosis was so unlikely in the first place that he has hope that he can also defy the odds with his outcome. After days of pain, doctors found a perforated ulcer in his stomach and performed emergency surgery to repair it. His team feels that theyve received ten times what theyve given him. The scene at St. Charles East on June 3 probably would have pleased former basketball star Justin Hardy. The unconquerable Justin Hardy ( @jhardy_32 ) who played the season for @washubasketball with Stage 4 stomach cancer is a guest of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center tonight. Justin Hardy, the Washington University in St. Louis basketball forward whose courage inspired players and fans nationwide, died Sunday, May 29, 2022, of stomach cancer. This website is managed by 411 Locals and has been temporarily removed. Washington University basketball star Justin Hardy died on Sunday, just months after helping lead his team to the post-season while playing with stage 4 stomach cancer. Hardy grew up near Chicago in the suburb of St. Charles. After undergoing genetic testing, it was discovered that Hardy has the CDH1 gene mutation, which made him a high risk for aggressive stomach cancer. Hardys treatment days are long and usually scheduled for a Monday or Tuesday so that hes feeling well by the end of the week to play in games. Given an initial prognosis of 12-18 months after diagnosis, Hardy averaged 11.1 points in 23 minutes per game over 21 games last season. Justin Hardy was born in in December 18, 1991. Your email address will not be published. When ESPN journalist Gene Wojciechowski learned of Hardys remarkable season, he traveled to St. Louis to profile him for ESPNs College GameDay. The story opened with Hardy sitting at a laptop writing a letter to himself. Patriots receiver Mohamed Sanu is one of Meadows's regulars. After undergoing surgery last summer, he started the basketball season in November. This is my life now and one day it changed forever. The seven days of isolation that followed were nothing compared to his 10-month journey with stage 4 stomach cancer, a diagnosis he received last spring after suffering abdominal pains that led to the ER trip. "This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances.". Tell Us The Best St. Louis Has To Offer! Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at. I hate to use the word miraculous, but it feels like it.. His distraction that day was WashU baseballs trip to the College World Series. I keep saying hes just built different, Jackie Hardy said. = He lost 50 pounds and resigned himself to sitting out his final season. Theres a lot we can take from how hes lived, and how hes living the courage and the strength hes had throughout all of this., At the end of the day, Hardy argues that this WashU Basketball season with the team 14-3 so far isnt about the adversity hes overcome. five What Justin is doing right now is a miracle, Jack Nolan, a WashU basketball player who is teammate of Hardy, recently told television station KSDK-Channel 5s Frank Cusumano. The funds will be used for medical & memorial expenses, with the majority put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college who share Justins grit, determination, and all-around excellence.. The family will host a visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva, Ill., and a legacy celebration at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at St. Charles East High School. The remarkable Justin Hardy who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story passed away today, his family says. It was growing pains for him, but by the fourth game of the season, he had a mental switch flip. And this fall, hes fought against every odd to return to WashU beside his teammates to compete at the upper tier of Division III basketball. The Bears and Maroons hugged each other as finalseconds ticked away. Hardy was raised in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles and earned his degree in finance and accounting from Olin Business School in December, after just 3 1/2 years. Hardy wasnt finished. I never got the chance to meet Justin Hardy but he and is family live in my neighborhood. His battle with cancer was an inspiration for the team. She keeps tabs on her younger brother, who she considers the equivalent of a twin. The average age of diagnosis in stomach cancer is 68, and Justin is a 21-year-old athlete with seemingly everything going for him. Justin Hardy is Washington University's second-leading scorer this season despite battling stage 4 stomach cancer. The 6-foot-5,. While dealing with his treatment, he continued to be a major . This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances. In May, sports announcer Dick Vitale paid tribute to Hardy at his annual gala to raise money for cancer research. There are people who search for that their entire life and never find it, but thats the best way to describe that kid.. At some point I had to come to terms, Hardy told Stu Durando, basketball reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. We were in awe on a daily basis.. Chicago, IL. Against Dubuque, he scored 28 points, matching his career high from freshman year. Those reports are always telling moments that dictate what treatment might follow. What we saw this yearhis courage, his toughness, his commitment to his teammatesis really mind-blowing. Hed take a step and then bring the other foot up to that step. Hardys story went viral after he was spotlighted on ESPNs College GameDay. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Obituary: Justin Hardy, recent Olin graduate, Bears basketball player,22. Hardy is hoping Washington University gets another opportunity in the NCAA Tournament. She said he underwent aggressive chemo last summer when he was treated at the University of Chicago and has continued that at Siteman. School, Through cancer, Washington U. basketball player shows hes just built different., Executive MBA and Professional Development. "I can't control the spread of cancer inside of me, that portion is going to do what it does," he said. . He was named first-teamAll-UAA (University Athletic Association) and second-team NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. Hardy will complete another round of chemotherapy at the end of January and undergo further testing to determine his status. }. He is on a trip with the Bears this weekend. A courageous, honorable young man. Sure, he knew that his roommate and teammate Justin Hardy wasnt feeling well, but he dismissed it as just strange timing. He majored in accounting and finance, which means that he cant ignore the odds that were given to him. Im baffled., Centene expects to lose millions of Medicaid customers beginning in April, Neman: Missouri womans saga of trying to find common sense at Walmart, I can still hear the roaring of the engine, says father of teen maimed in downtown St. Louis, So much for collaboration: St. Louis County Council meeting deteriorates into turmoil, Willson Contreras makes Cardinals debut, and Tyler O'Neill begins his run for center. This is my life now and one day it changed forever. Once he stepped on court for the Bears, Hardy slowly began to regain some of his former strength. Until he missed Fridays game at Emory University. Mentally, Im not at the point where the bad things are really bad, he said. He has just never once made anything about himself. He delivered a speech in New Orleans to explain the mental approach that helped him overcome physical obstacles. Field House in the closing seconds to a standing ovation and scored on a layup as time expired. Justin Hardy. Imlay City will get right back to work when it hosts Burton . His father, Bob, paid tribute to his son on Twitter and wrote: Bob asked everyone to make donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe that would be used for medical and memorial expenses. But it doesnt consume my thoughts negatively like it did initially. Its a tough one to swallow.. If theres anyone built to beat this, its Hardy.. He was just the most selfless person, always there with a text message or a gesture, checking in to make sure youre OK.. Hardy told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in January: This is my life now and one day it changed forever. If this isnt beating it, I dont know what is.. He was 22 years old. A true inspiration. But when doctors gave Hardy the go-ahead to play, Hardy decided he would do everything in his power to help the Bears reach the NCAA tournament. Diagnosed in April 2021, Hardy completed a summer internship, tutored students in the fall, graduated in December a semester early and recovered from 22 kilos of weight loss to play college basketball. For Justin, lets make this shot go around the world one more time. Helping him tell his story will remain a highlight of my career. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. What followed was a sequence of events as amazing as it has been harrowing. First comes 1 hours of medication to fight nausea and other side effects. The progress hes made is mindblowing, Doyle said. Analyst at McKinsey & Company. (Family photo.) He leaves most of that to his sister and mother. Amen. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did. Hardy's was also spotlighted by ESPN's College Gameday this past college basketball season. They are 12-1 on the season and are ranked No. "In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe. James Jia. Jeff Pape. Since some bad chemo experiences last spring and summer, he has endured the drugs without many side effects. As a result of his dedication, Justin graduated early from Washington University with a double major. The day before Justin Hardy tested positive for COVID-19, he talked to his sister Jackie, who has been on high alert regarding his health since the day she drove him to an emergency room last April. RIP JH. Washington University student-athlete Justin Hardy died of stomach cancer Sunday morning after a year in which he refused to allow a stage 4 diagnosis to get in the way of his goals. Hardy helped lead the Bears during their 13-game winning streak and scored 28 points, a career high, in two separate games. I was so emotional about it all. Its truly incredible. Hardy then went on to play at Washington University in St. Louis, where he stayed even following his graduation last December. Through his compassion for his friends, he redirected attention away from himself. (We're) still competing for state. The funds will be used for medical and memorial expenses, with the majority put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship - a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college who share Justin's grit, determination, and all-around excellence.". 3 Bears early-season, Hardy is a numbers guy. Hardy was one of two athletes given the Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award by the United States Basketball Writers Association for his refusal to let a terminal prognosis sidetrack his immediate plans. Hardy has been so externally strong that in September, a freshman on the basketball team asked Windley, Wait, Justin has cancer? Windley had to explain that his teammate had been doing chemotherapy and treatment all summer. Deeply sorry to announce that Washington University Basketball Player Justin Hardy's Cause of Death was announced. They won their first game without him and move on to play at Rochester, N.Y. on Sunday. Simple skills that once were second nature were initially still a struggle the senior was tricking wide open layups. Justin Hardy, a basketball player for the St. Louis-based college, passed away early morning on May 29 after spending the last "13 months courageously redefining what it means to live with. Hardy continued to play for the WashU basketball team while undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as working towards a double major in accounting and finance. You have to live your life. Juckem was present for all three events. His high school coach opened up the gym and let him shoot around with the younger players. Maybe he could compete for a rotation spot. With a dribble and a yell, he dunked against Wesleyans all-American center. After a 13-month battle with Stage 4 stomach cancer, former St. Charles East star basketball player Justin Hardy has died, according to a statement posted by his family on Twitter. It just took my breath away, it was so unbelievable, said Kally Wendler, one of Hardys closest friends. Mizzou (22-8, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) didn't take its first lead until 97 seconds were left in the game but with the victory stayed alive for a top-four seed in next week's SEC . Stu Durando is the SLU beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Photo by Alex Rubin, Washington University, Justin Hardy was able to graduate early in December from Washington University despite dealing with treatment for stage four stomach cancer. Your email address will not be published. Theres nothing at this point that can really rattle me., A lot of things have stayed constant for Hardy over his three and a half years at WashU. The 22-year-old college basketball player from St. Charles, Illinois, who passed away . The post read: After 13 months of redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning.. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. Hardy also was a leader in three-pointers and free throws. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum. He finished his collegiate career with 387 receptions, the most of any wide receiver in NCAA history at the time. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Pat Juckem, mens basketball head coach, said Hardy was a leader whose love for the game was surpassed only by his love for his teammates. Justin Hardy directs traffic during a recent game against New York University (Photo by Curran Neenan / Student Life). (Photo: Danny Reise/Washington University), Your email address will not be published. Justin Hardy at his December 2021 graduation. Off it, he's fighting for his life. I dont know how else to describe him.. Wrestling fans have witnessed the rise and fall, along with triumphs and stumbles, throughout Hardy's 28-year career. Finally, he is attached to a device he takes home that pumps a treatment into his body for 24 hours. You have permission to edit this article. When former University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year Justin Hardy came to campus in September, he couldn't jump 10 inches off the ground. The family was together at home after the diagnosis during the toughest days. .hide-if-no-js { He recovered from 50 pounds of weight loss to play college basketball. Its pretty amazing hes still playing through all of this. All rights reserved. Still, he was doggedly persistent with his conditioning program, taking his time with the exercises that would have been his warmup six months prior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to theHardyStrong Scholarship. Risk Advisory Associate at Grant Thornton. But now, he has no idea what happens after he finishes his chemotherapy treatment. His game-winning three-point shot to stun St. Charles North that season went viral on Twitter. Prayers and condolences to Justins family and friends. She recalled his response, which might have sounded flippant to anyone else. I dont know how anyone could fail to be moved by Justins honesty, by the nature of the medical odds he faces, by the elegance of his iron will, and by an extraordinary brand of courage and inner strength that somehow overpowers Stage 4 cancer for the length of a college basketball game, Wojciechowski wrote. Began to regain some of his former strength address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice this! Website is managed by 411 Locals and has continued that at Siteman we can. 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