Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, December 14, 2024 75° Today's Paper


SportsTop News

College athlete battling cancer will be honorary coach

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mount St. Joseph's Lauren Hill will be made into an honorary coach

CINCINNATI >> Lauren Hill’s basketball career is finished.

The freshman at Mount St. Joseph decided Wednesday to give up her playing career after achieving her goal of scoring in a game even as she fights an inoperable brain tumor. Hill will continue raising money for cancer research as she spends time with her family.

Coach Dan Benjamin sent an email saying she would be an honorary coach with the team. Her decision came one day after she scored during a 66-65 win over Wooster.

“She stepped onto the court one last time in her college career and again fought the odds and made a basket that brought everyone in the gym to their feet,” her family said in a Facebook post. “At the end of the game, she accepted a donation from Wooster toward her $1 million goal.

“It was incredible to see her continue to show such resolve and determination and continue to play strong both on the court and in life.”

Hill was diagnosed with the brain tumor during her senior year in high school. She went to the Division III school and played in four of Mount St. Joseph’s first eight games, making five layups while spending a few minutes total on the court.

Hill will continue raising money for research into cancer, setting a goal of $1 million. She’s getting hospice care at home as her condition worsens.

Comments are closed.