Washington University basketball player Justin Hardy died on Sunday, May 29, after battling stomach cancer at the age of 22.
Hardy was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in April 2021 and had been receiving treatment while competing on the school’s basketball team.
Justin Hardy’s death was announced by his family on Twitter.
“After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29,” his father Bob Hardy, wrote on Twitter.
“In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe,” Bob Hardy wrote. “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 Justin’s grit, determination, and all-around excellence.”
Justin Hardy graduated in December with a degree in business administration while playing basketball for the Bears. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and was named to the University Athletic Association’s first team.
His attack on cancer became an inspiration for a team that reached the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Given an early prognosis of 12-18 months after diagnosis, Hardy averaged 11.1 points in 23 minutes per game over 21 games last season. His final on-court appearance was on February 26.
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 digress his immediate plans.
“If this isn’t beating it, I don’t know what is,” he stated in an ESPN story documenting his season.
Washington University also released a statement following Hardy’s death:
“Our deepest condolences go out to Justin Hardy’s family on his passing. We are devastated by this loss but comforted by the manner in which he lived his life.
“Justin’s love for the game of basketball, competition and his teammates made him truly special. We were fortunate to be brought along on his journey. He showed us what it means to be others focused – what it means to be a great teammate.
“Justin taught us many lessons including how to deal with adversity and what winning really means. We have the awesome responsibility to carry forward his legacy of relentless positivity. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did. In his own words: ‘If you want to win, just give me the ball”.