Popular ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale is set to return to broadcasting on January 25 for the game between Duke and Wake Forest, as announced by the network on Friday.

At 85 years old, Vitale has faced a challenging journey with four types of cancer over the past three and a half years, as reported by ESPN. He proudly shared the news of being cancer-free on January 8.

“I am beyond thrilled and I still can’t believe this is real after enduring five significant surgeries on my vocal cords, 65 rounds of radiation, and six months of chemotherapy,” Vitale expressed in the announcement. “It’s been an incredibly difficult road, but the prayers and support from the amazing fans have motivated me. I am forever grateful to Jimmy Pitaro and my ESPN colleagues, who I consider family, for their kindness during this tough period. I only hope to provide viewers with basketball insights that enhance their enjoyment of the game.”

His most recent appearance on ESPN was on April 3, 2023, during the national championship game between San Diego State and UConn.

“Dickie V” has called more than 1,000 games since joining ESPN in the 1979-80 season and was also behind the mic for the network’s inaugural major college basketball game. He has played an essential role in the “V Foundation,” established by ESPN and former NC State coach Jim Valvano, who lost his battle with cancer.

Before his ESPN career, Vitale gained recognition as a coach, serving as an assistant at Rutgers from 1971 to 1973, then becoming the head coach at Detroit Mercy from 1973 to 1977, where he led the team to the Sweet 16 in the 1977 NCAA tournament. Following that, he coached the Detroit Pistons in the 1978-79 season before transitioning to ESPN.