Duke faces Florida in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday, which is played to raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and to honor the late Jim Valvano.
Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski shared a touching message to Valvano to reflect on the friendship the two formed in the late stages of the former NC State coach's life and shared it through Dear World in advance of the game.
Here is how the letter reads:
Dear Jimmy,
You and I became brothers during the last four or five months of your life. You knew that you were dying of cancer. You were in Duke Hospital and we spent a few nights every week together.
We had many moments.
The very best moment though was when you said,"I'm gonna die, but I'm gonna win."
I asked you, "What do you mean?"
And you said, "I want to beat cancer. After I die, when we've finally beat cancer I want to be there."
I was with you when you died. And I never looked at our relationship as having a last moment. I always looked forward to the next moment.
I don't remember the last thing I said to you, Jimmy.
And the reason I don't is because I thought you would live forever.
Love your friend,
Mike
