Minnesota coach Tubby Smith is “cancer free and feeling great” after a procedure to treat early stages of prostate cancer in April.
Smith, 59, issued a statement through the school Wednesday that indicated he had a procedure on April 21 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after a physical revealed the cancer.
He says he’s excited for his fifth season at school next season.
“During my regular physical last spring it was discovered that my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were high. A biopsy was done and it was discovered that I had early stages of prostate cancer. I am happy to say that the cancer was contained and removed,” he said in the statement.
“I want to thank Dr. Gettman and Dr. Litin at the Mayo clinic for everything they have done for me. I am a proponent of regular prostate examines and hope that men, especially African-American men, continue to have regular checkups.”
Coincidentally, Smith is the second high-profile coach to reveal prostate cancer news this spring.
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin said last month that he coached the entire season with prostate cancer and waited until the spring to have his treatment. He was slated to make his first public appearance on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in a pregame ceremony for Coaches vs. Cancer.
UPDATE: Lavin told ESPNNewYork.com that he’ll make a decision on his treatment next month.
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