Famous college basketball commentator Dick Vitale has shared the joyful news that he is cancer-free once again.

On Thursday, Vitale expressed his excitement, stating that “Santa Claus came early,” after undergoing a scan that confirmed a lymph node in his neck was free of cancer.

“Yes, I’m cutting down the nets baby, it’s my National Championship!” he exclaimed in a social media post that also highlighted the Jimmy V Foundation, which supports cancer research and is named in honor of his late friend, college basketball coach Jimmy Valvano.

This encouraging announcement follows Vitale’s reveal in June that his cancer had returned—marking the fourth diagnosis in just three years.

In August 2021, he disclosed that he underwent treatment for melanoma and was subsequently diagnosed with lymphoma in October of that same year. He celebrated being “cancer-free” in August 2022, only to be diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in July 2023. After six weeks of radiation therapy, he joyfully announced his cancer-free status again in December 2023.

While Vitale has not been able to commentate on college basketball games since 2022 due to his health challenges, particularly vocal cord cancer which affected his speaking abilities, he remains hopeful. In March, he conveyed to YSL News Sports that it would take time to restore his voice to its full potential for game commentary, but expressed a strong desire to return to the sport this season.

“I deeply miss the vibrant college atmosphere during games and cherish the time spent with players, coaches, fans, media, and especially my ESPN colleagues,” Vitale shared.