Richmond basketball player Jack McCaffery, son of legendary coach Fran McCaffery, has been placed “on indefinite medical leave” after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“Jack was seen by medical staff at Richmond earlier this week, and following his evaluation, he traveled home with his parents and was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania,” the school said in a statement on Sunday, November 8. “He will remain there and has begun a course of treatment under the care of the doctors and nurses at Penn Medicine.”
Jack, 20, transferred to Richmond in April after playing his freshman year at Butler University.
The basketball player’s father, Fran, currently coaches at Penn University following a legendary career at the University of Iowa.
“We are grateful to the Richmond coaching staff and medical team for their prompt response, and to Kevin Mahoney and the doctors and nurses here at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania,” Fran, 67, said in a statement on Sunday. “He is in great hands and our family feels blessed to be here, where Jack’s care is directed by this world-class care team.”
Penn Medicine’s Dr. Alison Wakoff Loren acknowledged “any cancer diagnosis is distressing, especially at a young age.”
“But we are confident in Jack’s treatment plan and Penn Medicine’s team of lymphoma experts,” Loren continued in a statement. “Hodgkin’s lymphoma mainly affects young people in their 20’s, but it is a highly curable form of cancer, thanks to years of dedicated research. Our goal is to get Jack through his treatments safely and to return him to school and to his teammates on the basketball court as soon as we can.”
Jack’s oldest brother, Connor, posted about his brother’s diagnosis on social media.
“Nobody stronger than u to fight this 🙏🏼❤️ you’ve got us all with you and we love you ❤️ CANCER SUCKS!!!!!!!!,” Connor, 28, shared via Instagram on Sunday.
Connor is dating Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who commented on his post with a series of red heart emojis.
Jack’s other brother, Patrick, shared a similar message of support.
“Not gonna lie to you guys… this one hurts,” Patrick wrote via Instagram on Sunday. “My twin, my best friend, my mf dawg. but guess what, we will be just fine cuz I know what you’re made of kid. you’re a warrior and we will take this on again and beat it. I LOVE YOU KID @sniperj22 … CANCER SUCKS 💯.”
