Former Duke star Dereck Lively II’s mother, Kathy Drysdale, dies after cancer battle

Former Duke star Dereck Lively II announced his mother, Kathy Drysdale, passed away Friday. She was 53.

Drysdale – a former Penn State women’s basketball star – was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and battled the disease for 11 years. She was Lively’s biggest support as he starred at Duke and ultimately went to the Dallas Mavericks as a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Lively posted an emotional tribute to his mother on Instagram and reflected on their relationship.

“My heart breaks saying goodbye to the most important person in the world to me, my best friend, my superhero, my biggest cheerleader and mom, Kathy Drysdale,” Lively wrote in his tribute. “There is no one in this world that can love you more than your mother. As strong and stubborn as she is I have watched her struggle, fight and survive cancer for the past 11 years and now her battle has ended surround by family, friends and her teammates.

“I truly can’t imagine my life without her but I know I have an angel in the stands always and forever cheering my one and yelling at me if I’m bullshitting. “

This story will be updated.

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