Former St. Charles East basketball star Justin Hardy dies after fight with stomach cancer

ST. CHARLES – After a 13-month battle with stage 4 stomach cancer, former St. Charles East star basketball player Justin Hardy has died, according to a statement posted by his family on Twitter.

Hardy was 22 years old.

“After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29,” said a statement posted on the personal account of Bob Hardy, Justin’s father.

Visitation and life celebration events are planned for Thursday, June 2, and Friday, June 3.

According to a news release from the family, the June 2 visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva. The address is 1771 W. State St. in Geneva.

The June 3 event will be a legacy celebration hosted in the St. Charles East High School main gym from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite jersey or team apparel in congruence with the wishes of Hardy.

The release encourages donating to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe, where the majority of donations will go toward a scholarship set up in Hardy’s honor.

An ambassador and source of inspiration playing college basketball at Washington University in St. Louis this past season during his battle with cancer, Hardy’s story received national attention and he was profiled by ESPN earlier this year.

Hardy was the 2018 Kane County Chronicle Boys Basketball Player of the Year. His game-winning 3-point shot to stun St. Charles North that season went viral on Twitter.

Hardy went on to play at Washington University in St. Louis, where he played even after his graduation in December. Hardy scored a college career-high 28 points in February.

On Feb. 8, St. Charles East hosted a “Hoops for Hope” event in Hardy’s honor and raised thousands of dollars through the GoFundMe.

“Grab the things you do in your life. Just love it and dive into it fully‚” Hardy said that evening. “You’ll get those relationships back out of it. I’ve seen St. Charles come together for some pretty tough times before. We always rally behind whatever it is.

“It’s awesome to see you guys rally behind me tonight … the letters you have sent me, text messages, the old people emailing, that’s cool, too,” which drew laughter. “The support has been unwavering and it’s what’s gotten me through the past 10 months. I’m going to thank you in advance for the support I know you’re going to give me for the next 10 months, next, two, five, 10 years to come.”

Washington University basketball coach Pat Juckem released a statement Sunday expressing his condolences.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Justin’s family on his passing,” Juckem said in the statement. “We are devastated by this loss but comforted by the manner in which he lived his life. Justin’s love for the game of basketball, competition and his teammates made him truly special.

“Justin taught us many lessons, including how to deal with adversity and what winning really means. We have the awesome responsibility to carry forward his legacy of relentless positivity. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did.

“In his own words: ‘If you want to win, just give me the ball.’”