Andrew and Samantha Smith to receive Most Courageous Award
On Monday, the late Andrew Smith and his widow, Samantha, were announced as this year's recipients of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Most Courageous Award.
Smith, an Academic All-American and a member of Butler's Final Four teams in 2010 and 2011, passed away last month at age 25 following a two-year battle with cancer. Samantha courageously updated the status of her husband throughout his battle by creating the blog, Kicking Cancer With the Smiths.
The USWBA will officially honor the Smiths on April 4 during the Final Four in Houston.
Kent State head coach Danielle O'Banion will be honored with the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award for women's basketball. O'Banion entered the season -- her fourth season with the Golden Flashes -- cancer-free after she was diagnosed with Stage 2 lymphoma cancer in 2014.
O'Banion will receive the award on April 3 during the women's Final Four in Indianapolis.