Throughout his rookie season, Dereck Lively II had the best, most-trusted, loving companion a young man could hope for.
On Friday, he lost her – his mom, Kathy Drysdale.
Lively’s mother was with him on draft night, sat nearby him at his introductory news conference in Dallas and could be seen at virtually every Mavericks home game through the season.
Drysdale, who has battled cancer since 2013, passed away on Friday. Lively delivered the news via social media, saying:
“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.”
Lively went on to say that his mother was surrounded by family and friends and while he can’t imagine life without here, “I know I have an angel in the stands always and forever cheering” him on.
From the very start of the season, Lively and his mom were together at games, functions, community events and news conferences. Lively spoke candidly about the days growing up when his mother could not make it downstairs or even talk sometimes.
They were beyond close.
At the Mavericks’ shootaround on Friday, coach Jason Kidd said Lively talked to the team about everything that had been going on off the court. Some members of the organization were aware that his mother’s health had taken a bad turn.
“Incredible woman,” Kidd said. “As much as we talk about his injury, he had other things that were going on. The world will know about his mom passing, but D-Live this morning wanted to get back into the swing of coming to work. He spoke to the team, which was incredible for a 20-year-old to talk about what he was going through off the court, not just with the injury, but with his mom. And then shortly after that, his mom passed. Just incredible (statement) of who Dereck Lively is as a young man to talk to the team and talk to his new family. And this is his new family because of his parents’ passing.”
Lively also lost his father two years before Kathy’s cancer was diagnosed.
The Mavericks had a moment of silence for Drysdale before tipoff against the Detroit Pistons Friday night and issued this statement about Drysdale’s passing:
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this loss. On behalf of our organization and our team, we would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Drysdale family, who are faced with an unimaginable loss. So much of Kathy, her strength, tenacity and joy is reflected in her son.
“She left an indelible mark on each of us within the Dallas Mavericks organization and all those who were fortunate enough to spend time with her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dereck and his entire family.”
Lively actually was at the game against the Pistons supporting his teammates.
“For his mom to pass this afternoon and then to come to work – he had every right to stay with his family and friends,” Kidd said. “But that just shows safe place. And to be with the team during the game, that shows who he is. He’s shown his strength that he’s going to push forward.”
In his Instagram post, Lively also thanked the “incredible” team of doctors and nurses at UT Southwestern Hospital and the Mavericks for their constant support. “Without them, I wouldn’t have had these final precious moments,” Lively said. “My mom was a beautiful soul, loved by every person who crossed her path and every team I have played for.”
Lively has been out of action with a sprained right knee, but the hope is that he will be able to return to the court during the first round of the playoffs.
When he does, he’ll have an angel on his shoulder, for sure.
For more on Lively and the journey his mother took battling cancer, click here: New Mav Lively: Mom’s journey ‘makes me want to work harder’ – The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks (mavs.com)
Lively has asked that, in lieu of flowers or other gifts to his mother’s memory that donations be made to Annie’s Place, a local nonprofit that supports families by providing safe, loving childcare so family members can get the medical care they need.
X: @ESefko
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