The Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II has been struck by a tragedy. After battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 11 years, along with her extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, and stem cell transplant, Lively’s mother, Kathy Drysdale, passed away on Friday surrounded by her loved ones. Dereck shared a strong bond with his mother. She did everything in her capacity to stand by her son and support him in his basketball career.

Lively announced the passing of his mother in an emotional Instagram tribute, less than 2 hours before the Pistons vs Mavericks game in the American Airlines Center. The Mavs even held a moment of silence before the pregame introductions in the arena, where Lively was, of course, present to witness the world showering love on his dearly departed mother. He was seen wearing the same Mavericks jersey his mother wore, with the name “Drysdale” written on the back.

In his emotional tribute on Instagram, he described his mother, what she meant to him, and how brave she was in her battle against cancer. My heart breaks saying goodbye to the most important person in the world to me, my best friend, my superhero, my biggest cheerleader, and mom, Kathy Drysdale. There is no one in this world that can love you more than your mother. As strong and stubborn as she is, I have watched her struggle, fight and survive cancer for the past 11 years, and now her battle has ended surrounded by family, friends, and her teammates.”

He even posted wholesome pictures of his mother reminiscing about the lifetime they shared. He also wrote, “I truly can’t imagine my life without her but I know I have an angel in the stands always and forever cheering my one and yelling at me if I’m bullsh*tting.”

Kathy Drysdale was no ordinary woman. She raised Dereck all alone, as a single mother after his father tragically passed away in 2012 from a heroin overdose. She was also a renowned college basketball star, who played for Penn State University from 1988 to 1992. The Center scored 1,295 points, 717 rebounds, and 89 blocks in her college career. Kathy also worked for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1993 to 2006, managing game presentations, in-arena contests, and dance team performances. She was a woman of many talents, and her passing was an immense loss for the entire basketball community.

Kathy Drysdale was a mother and a coach to Dereck Lively

The relationship between Dereck and his mother was one of a kind. She was not just his mother, but was also his first coach, and a tough one at that. She watched him from the sidelines, introduced him to the game, and helped him become a national star at first when he played on the Doug West D-Fenders. In June 2023, Dereck said that as soon as he steps foot inside the gym, she turns into a coach for him. He further added, “She’s thrown me out of the gym before. The only coach to throw me out of the gym.” This happened when he missed a free throw while in the middle of a shooting drill. After repeatedly asking him to shoot on the line, Dereck was out of the facility.

Kathy ensured Dereck learned how to respect everything in life. That one lesson probably stuck by him, since this was when he started his basketball journey with her. Her mentorship steered the wheels for him, and led him to the right path, especially considering she’s a single parent. Dereck returned all the gratitude to her during the NBA drafts.

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While most athletes choose a celebrity lifestyle after making it to the NBA, Dereck continued living with his mother even after getting drafted by the Mavs. Their strong bond was evident during a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. When asked how it was living with his mother, Lively hilariously replied, “Good and bad. Who wants to live with their mom at 20 years old? But at the same time, I needed that.” He also advised Kathy to not worry about work anymore and to enjoy life while he takes care of the family. Kathy said, “I’m very very grateful, very fortunate.”

“My mom was a beautiful soul, loved by every person who crossed her path and by every team I have played for from Team Final to West Town to Duke to the Mavericks. Thank you to Dr. Hall and the incredible nurses and team at UT Southwestern Hospital, and to the Mavericks for their constant support without them I wouldn’t have had these final precious moments. I love u and will always miss u as well, just know I’ll be ok mom. Fly high.” Lively’s quote describes Kathy Drysdale perfectly as a beautiful soul and a loving woman. The Mavs rookie also had a message for the disease that took his mother away from him, “FXCK cancer 💔”

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