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Who was Justin Hardy? Inspirational Washington uni student-athlete, 22, dies of stomach cancer

Hardy underwent rounds of chemotherapy as the season progressed but didn’t miss a game until he was diagnosed with COVID-19

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: A 22-year-old Washington University student-athlete died of stomach cancer on Sunday morning, May 29, after a year in which he refused to allow a stage 4 diagnosis to get in the way of his goals. Justin Hardy was diagnosed in April 2021, following his diagnosis he 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.

In April this year, supported by family and friends, 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. Hardy continued to play for the WashU basketball team while undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as working towards a double major in accounting and finance.

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"After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29th. Visitation and celebration events will be Thursday and Friday this week. More details will be provided soon," Hardy's father, Bob Hardy wrote on Twitter.

"In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe. The funds will be used for medical and memorial expenses, with the majority put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship - a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college who share Justin's grit, determination, and all-around excellence", he added for encouraging donations to the HardyStrong Scholarship for high school graduates.

"You have to live your life. I am living in some of the best days of my life. This is one of the best years of my life that I have lived. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. Coming back and playing basketball and finishing my degree are two things that I really wanted to do. I am fearless. No matter what circumstances are, I am going to attack it the best I can," Hardy told 5 On Your Side's Frank Cusumano during this past WashU season.

Hardy delivered a memorable acceptance speech in New Orleans in April, to sum up his mental approach, which allowed him to overcome the physical obstacles. “I don’t go two or three minutes without thinking about the fact that this is my life and something that is going to stick with me forever,” Hardy told the crowd on April 4. “But I have a lot to be grateful for, and I can’t let all of that negativity consume my thoughts."

“Everything in life will be OK if you look at it with optimism. I took that to heart and I think it’s one of the reasons I was able to do all I did. Here we are almost a year later, and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to accomplish everything that seemed important.”

Hardy graduated from Washington University in December last year with a degree in Business Administration. while playing basketball for the Bears. He was the team’s second-leading scorer and was named to the University Athletic Association's first team. Hardy had surgery last summer but recovered well enough to start the basketball season in November. Soon he was able to dunk again. He underwent rounds of chemotherapy as the season progressed but didn’t miss a game until he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

ESPN documented Hardy's story and shared it on Twitter. "This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances. If this isn't beating it, I don't know what is", Hardy said in the documentary.

ESPN Senior, Adrian Wojnarowski wrote, "The remarkable Justin Hardy — who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story — passed away today, his family says. An unconquerable, unforgettable young man."