Andrew Smith Dead at 25: Former Butler Basketball Star Loses 2-Year Cancer Battle

Andrew Smith succumbed to his two-year battle with cancer on January 12. He played with the Butler Bulldogs during two NCAA National Championship basketball games. 

His tragic death was confirmed by his wife via Twitter. Samantha Smith took to social media to announce the sad news, she revealed that the 25-year-old died in her arms while he was sleeping.

Andrew peacefully passed away in his sleep and in my arms as I told him I loved him this morning. Love you always, Smith.

— Samantha Smith (@Samantha44Smith) January 12, 2016

The athlete was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2014. He showed a little improvement but then he went into cardiac arrest in July 2014 and spent three days in coma. Smith underwent a bone marrow transplant but it didn't help his condition, his wife then revealed that his lymphoma had turned into full-blown leukemia.

Former Butler C Andrew Smith has died after battling cancer. Brad Stevens left Celtics to visit him last week. https://t.co/qHI0eD5OSu — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 12, 2016

Smith only played for a few minutes during the NCAA tournament during his freshmen year, but his perseverance helped advance his school to its first Final Four ever, making him one of the fans' favorites.

He proved to be a leader on and off the court before graduating in 2013.

Smith starred at Covenant Christian in Indiana, but wasn't heavily recruited. He left Butler as one of three players in school history to score more than 1,000 points and also win more than 100 games.

Smith did recently attend Butler's December 19 game in Indianapolis where the Bulldogs defeated Purdue.

His former college coach, Brad Stevens, did not coach the Boston Celtics game last Thursday in Chicago and instead went to visit Smith in the hospital in Indianapolis.

"The last week’s been tough,” Stevens said. “I was happy that I got a chance to say goodbye.''