Walt McGrory, Ex-Wisconsin Basketball Player, Dead at 24 Following Bone Cancer Treatment

The young athlete had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2021

College basketball fans are remembering Wisconsin Badgers star Walt McGrory, who died on Saturday at the age of 24 amid ongoing treatments for bone cancer.

News of McGrory's death was announced on Monday on his Instagram account, where he had been documenting his fight against osteosarcoma. The young athlete had been diagnosed with the disease in 2021, months after he announced his plans to transfer from the University of Wisconsin—Madison to the University of South Dakota.

'Walt became one with the Divine on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023," his family wrote in a tribute post on his Instagram page. "His soul was freed to continue his great mission — to live and help others live full, healthy lives. Walt has always known there is something greater out there. Something with the full power to shape the world."

"His journey with osteosarcoma was not easy, but it helped him find that ultimate power source," continued the statement. "He never gave up on his belief that he and others just like him could heal themselves. His mission has not changed. He is still providing inspiration, love and fight to those who need it. But now he is doing it with the whole power of the universe behind him."

The touching post ended with an inspirational message: "Whenever you need more strength in your life, open your heart and Walt will be there."

McGrory certainly had strength during his cancer journey, as seen through his transparent and candid social media posts. The cancer originated in his shin, but later spread to his knee, causing him to undergo a partial amputation of his left leg.

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Cancer affected McGrory's lungs, too. In August, he had surgery on his left lung, the first step before moving on to the right. But after removing 20 tumors, it was determined "around 30-40 were not resectable" and that further treatment to shrink the tumors was needed before operating again — treatment, McGrory said, medical officials "haven’t been able to find yet these past two years."

"But we will keep searching and fighting no matter what," he said. "Things may be getting more serious and urgent, but we’ve faced a lot of setbacks in the past two years, and this is nothing more than that. Giving up is not an option! A lot of people say that, but when things get really tough they give themselves a way out. Well, in my case there literally is no way out."

His family, friends and former teammates all rallied by his side throughout his hospital stay. Many shared memories of McGrory on Instagram this week, tributes that McGrory's family have since shared to his Instagram Story.

Among the memories was a resounding praise for the hope McGrory had in the face of adversity, even up to the end.

"There have been lonely days and dark nights of the soul, but I have never been more optimistic than now," he wrote in September while promoting a GoFundMe for experimental treatments not covered by his insurance plan. "Your kindness and love gives me the strength needed to win this fight no matter how many rounds it takes. There is a cure out there."

"Honestly, I’m tired of telling this story of my past. What excites me is telling the story of my future," he said. "It’s close, I can feel it."

McGrory was a basketball prodigy. According to FOX-9, he joined the varsity team at Edina High School in 8th grade and went on to captain it in his junior and senior years. He set the all-time scoring record for the school in 2017, with 2,126 points.

He began as a guard for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2017 and appeared in 37 games over his four seasons with the NCAA Division I college basketball team. McGrory was among the players on the Badgers when they won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title in 2019-20.

On Monday, Wisconsin coach Greg Gard remembered McGrory in a statement on the team's official Instagram account.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Walt McGrory," he said. "The courage and fight that Walt demonstrated throughout his two-year battle with cancer was an inspiration to us all. Walt never quit. Instead, he chose to fight every day and made the most of his circumstances by sharing his journey and inspiring others. Walt was a beloved member of our team and the Badger family, and we will miss him dearly."

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