Jack McCaffery, a forward for the Richmond Spiders, has been placed on indefinite medical leave following a diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The university announced the news in a statement released on Sunday, marking a significant pause in the young athlete's college career. McCaffery is the son of Fran McCaffery, the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, who will oversee his son's treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
The player joined the Richmond program during the previous offseason after completing his freshman year at Butler University. This move represented a fresh start for McCaffery, who is now focused on his health while receiving care from a specialized medical team in Philadelphia.
In a personal statement, McCaffery expressed his gratitude to the staff at both institutions. He specifically thanked the Richmond coaching and medical teams for their immediate attention to his needs. Additionally, he acknowledged the support from Kevin Mahoney and the doctors and nurses at the University of Pennsylvania hospital. The player noted that his family feels blessed to have access to such a world-class care team.
During his time at Butler last season, McCaffery played in nine games before his year was cut short. His early departure from the court was due to an illness and complications arising from the removal of his wisdom teeth. In those limited appearances, he averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. His older brother, Connor McCaffery, served as an assistant coach on the Butler staff during that period.
Richmond head coach Chris Mooney highlighted the value McCaffery brought to the program since his arrival. Mooney described him as a tremendous teammate who earned the respect of those around him through hard work and strong character. The coach emphasized that McCaffery committed to doing things the right way both on the basketball court and in the classroom.
Mooney stated that the entire Richmond program will stand by McCaffery and his family throughout his recovery process. The coaching staff expressed their confidence in his return and their dedication to supporting him at every step of the journey.
The diagnosis comes as a challenge for a player who was highly regarded in the 2025 recruiting cycle. According to 247Sports, McCaffery was classified as a four-star recruit and was ranked as the 144th overall player in his class. This ranking reflected the potential he was expected to bring to the college basketball landscape.
As McCaffery begins his treatment, the focus for both his family and his new team shifts to his well-being. The situation underscores the unpredictable nature of sports injuries and health issues, even for highly touted athletes entering their collegiate careers.
The Richmond Spiders will continue their season without their forward, relying on the rest of their roster to fill the void. Meanwhile, McCaffery's family remains close, coordinating his care in Philadelphia to ensure he receives the best possible medical attention.
This development adds another layer to the McCaffery family's presence in college basketball. With Fran coaching at Penn and Jack undergoing treatment there, the family remains deeply connected to the university community during this critical time.
