Key Highlights:
- University of Richmond sophomore forward Jack McCaffery has taken an indefinite medical leave after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Jack’s brother, Connor McCaffery, alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and members of the Indiana basketball community, shared powerful messages of support.
- Jack has begun treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania under the care of Penn Medicine specialists, who noted the disease is highly curable.
Basketball Community Rallies Around Jack McCaffery Following Cancer Diagnosis
The basketball community has united in support of University of Richmond forward Jack McCaffery following the news that the sophomore has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The announcement sparked an outpouring of emotional encouragement from family, teammates, and prominent sports figures across the country, including Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.
Connor, who previously competed for the Iowa Hawkeyes and currently serves as a player development assistant for the Indiana Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, broke the news to social media followers through a heartfelt Instagram post. Sharing childhood photographs of himself and Jack, Connor delivered a passionate message of solidarity to his younger brother: Nobody stronger than u to fight this. You’ve got us all with you, and we love you. CANCER SUCKS!!!!!!!!
Clark quickly joined the chorus of encouragement, posting a row of red heart emojis on the post to display her affection and support. Several other notable figures from the Indiana basketball landscape also chimed in, including Clark’s Fever teammates Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell. Additionally, Jade Haliburton, wife of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, directly offered prayers and reinforcement to the family, writing: Praying for Jack and your whole family, Connor! He’s got a whole crew behind him!!!!
Medical Evaluation and Treatment Underway at Penn Medicine
The University of Richmond formally announced on November 8 that Jack McCaffery had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and would be taking an indefinite medical leave from the Spiders men’s basketball team. The diagnosis followed an initial evaluation by Richmond’s medical staff earlier in the week. Jack subsequently traveled to Philadelphia with his parents and was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to begin specialized medical intervention.
Jack’s father, Fran McCaffery, who serves as the head coach of the Penn men’s basketball team, released a statement voicing deep appreciation for the medical personnel handling his son’s urgent care. 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. 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,
Fran said.
Providing optimism regarding Jack’s outlook, Dr. Alison Wakoff Loren of Penn Medicine detailed the clinical path ahead as she oversees his care. 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. Hodgkin’s lymphoma mainly affects young people in their 20s, 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.
A Family Familiar With Health Battles
This medical crisis presents a familiar and painful trial for the McCaffery household. In 2014, Jack’s older brother Patrick was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 14. Patrick underwent rigorous treatment, made a full recovery, and successfully resumed his collegiate basketball career. While Jack’s diagnosis involves a different condition requiring an independent treatment protocol, the family draws on past resilience as they support his recovery.
Before transferring to Richmond, Jack began his collegiate career during his freshman season at Butler in 2025-26, competing in nine games while averaging 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest. Richmond head coach Chris Mooney commended Jack’s character and confirmed that the entire Spiders program stands firmly behind him and the McCaffery family throughout his health journey.
Why This Matters
Jack McCaffery’s diagnosis places his athletic career on temporary pause to focus entirely on his health and recovery. With the leadership of Penn Medicine’s specialists and the backing of both the Richmond Spiders and the extended college and professional basketball networks, the focus remains on his targeted therapy. The high cure rate of Hodgkin’s lymphoma provides an encouraging trajectory as his medical team works toward getting him back to full health and, ultimately, back to collegiate basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jack McCaffery’s medical diagnosis?
Jack McCaffery has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an illness affecting the lymphatic system that is considered highly curable thanks to advancements in treatment protocols.
Where is Jack McCaffery receiving his treatment?
He is undergoing care in Philadelphia at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of specialists from Penn Medicine, led by Dr. Alison Wakoff Loren.
What is Jack McCaffery’s current status with the Richmond basketball program?
The University of Richmond announced that Jack has taken an indefinite medical leave from the men’s basketball team to prioritize his treatment and recovery.
