Kathy Drysdale, one of the best Penn State women’s basketball players in program history, passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer, according to her son on Instagram.
Drysdale was a standout at Penn State from 1988-1992, scoring 1295 career points and snagging 717 rebounds, helping the Nittany Lions to a No. 1 AP Poll ranking in 1991.
After working for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1993-2006, Drysdale would eventually return to State College to work for her alma mater as a marketing manager and director of marketing and fan experience.
Her son, former Duke Blue Devils star and Dallas Mavericks first-round rookie Dereck Lively announced the news on Instagram.
“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,” Lively said. “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 surround by family, friends and her teammates. I truly can’t imagine my life without her but l know I have an angel in the stands always and forever cheering my one and yelling at me if I’m bulls-------.”
Lively has had a strong first year for the Mavericks at center after Dallas picked him No. 12 in the draft out of Duke in last summer’s draft, averaging 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
“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 wore a jersey with his mother’s name on the back at the Mavericks’ game Friday night.
-- Follow Dan Sostek on Twitter @dan_sostek