Derik Pranger was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last Sept. and transferred from Eastern Michigan to play basketball for UCCS. However, the diagnosis threw an immediate wrench in his plans.
For Pranger, basketball is everything. He started playing at a young age and still has the same passion for the game as he did when he made his first basket.
“It gives me a sense of purpose. I always felt like my purpose was to be able to play and I get a lot of fulfillment out of it,” Pranger said.
After a normal physical checkup, the call came in about his diagnosis and Pranger became physically sick.
“I ended up throwing up. I felt this really big pit in my stomach and I just felt super defeated. I’ve never had a feeling like that before,” Pranger said.
Pranger’s surgery was scheduled a month after his diagnosis his days would involve a drive up to Denver to visit his doctor for constant testing. in the time leading up to it.
“It was a lot of shots, it was a lot of needles, a lot of it really hurt too. It was a pretty painful process,” Pranger said.
The entire process was hard. For Pranger, it was not only about overcoming the physical pain but the mental pain as well.
“It was crazy, just that whole feeling. I felt super alone and it was a ‘why is this happening to me?’ type feeling,” Pranger said.
Throughout this time, Derik’s family and friends were by his side, helping him deal with the mental baggage.
“When you find out something like that, I didn’t feel like a normal kid. I felt like I was in a whole other area doing something on my own, and they made me feel like I was still a normal person,” Pranger said.
The surgery was a success. Pranger is in remission and was able to play last season, but his journey changed his outlook on life.
“When something like that happens, you don’t know how much time is left. This was such a last-second thing, some freak thing could happen and you got to really experience everything you want to experience, or you’re just kind of passing by,” Pranger said.
Pranger now has his sights set on the upcoming basketball season and his goal is simple: win.
“I want to win as much as possible. We have such a great group of dudes this year. I want to win the RMAC. I want to get to the national tournament, and I just want to win as much as possible for the guys because we deserve it and we all work so hard. The guys are such a great group and I’m really excited for it,” Pranger said.
While Derik has always put effort into the court, his hard-working mentality applies to everything he does in life, as he is always looking to reach new heights.
“I just want to know that all the time I put in is paying off and that I can see myself grow as a person, not just on the court, I want to show everything I’m capable of,” Pranger said.
The experience turned Pranger’s world upside down. If there is one thing he emphasized was the importance of physicals.
“Make sure you get your physical checkup every year, because that’s how they found out about me. It doesn’t seem like a big thing and I know a lot of people don’t like the doctor but you don’t know what could happen,” Pranger said.
Derik Pranger. Photo courtesy of Fox21 News Colorado.