North Carolina’s Jessica Breland Honored for Triumph Despite Lymphoma

North Carolina women’s basketball player, Jessica Breland, has won the Honda Inspiration Award. This milestone comes as a result of her admirable comeback to the NCAAW ranks after getting treatment for a particular case of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Breland, a beloved figure in her community and amongst her team members, was initially diagnosed with the disease in May of 2009. Upon receiving the news from her doctors, she opted to sit out for a year while receiving chemotherapy.

She then proceeded to return the following year and average nearly 20 points per game and 6.8 rebounds en route to becoming one of the top-tier players on her team. On top of being a model for perseverance and a testament to the power of hard work, Breland was also an excellent student as she maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in her last four semesters to earn a spot on the ACC honor roll.

Selected by the New York Liberty in the second round of the WNBA draft last month, Breland hopes to take her undeniably unique skill set and work ethic to the next level in the professional ranks.

Breland will be presented with the award in a special ceremony on June 27 in New York.