Statement from the USBWA on the passing of Justin Hardy as he is remembered by friends and family on June 3:
"Justin Hardy honored the U.S. Basketball Writers Association at our Awards Luncheon in New Orleans when he was a co-recipient of the Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award. His humility, spirit and positive outlook in the face of a dire prognosis will continue to be an inspiration to all of us. The USBWA mourns his passing and offers its condolences to Justin’s family, friends and everyone in the communities that will always remember him."
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on May 30:
Washington University student-athlete Justin Hardy died of stomach cancer Sunday morning after a year in which he refused to allow a stage 4 diagnosis to get in the way of his goals.
Diagnosed in April 2021, Hardy completed a summer internship, tutored students in the fall, graduated in December a semester early and recovered from 50 pounds of weight loss to play college basketball.
Hardy, who is from St. Charles, Illinois, was 22.
“After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning,” Justin’s father, Bob, wrote on Twitter.
As recently as early April, surrounded and supported by family, teammates and coaches, Hardy received an award in New Orleans during Final Four weekend that recognized a year of achievement.
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 sidetrack his immediate plans.
Complete story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: https://bit.ly/3LUSNfG
Obituary from Washington University: https://bit.ly/3Nit6Y5