From the Court to the Comeback Trail — Kentucky Basketball’s Unsung Hero Battles Cancer, Amputation, and Adversity with Relentless Heart
Lexington, KY –
One year ago, Todd Svoboda faced a life-changing moment that most athletes fear and few ever imagine. The former Kentucky Wildcats basketball player — a 6-foot-9 warrior once celebrated for his late-game three-pointer during UK’s legendary 1993 Final Four run — had his right leg amputated above the knee due to complications from an aggressive bone cancer.
Now, exactly twelve months after that fateful day, Svoboda is not only walking again, but biking, swimming, lifting, working, and inspiring thousands who know his story. His resilience, discipline, and undying spirit have turned tragedy into testimony — not of what was lost, but of what has been reclaimed.
“I’m thankful,” Svoboda says. “It hasn’t been easy. But I’m still here. I’m moving forward. And that means everything.”
From Cancer Diagnosis to the Operating Table
Svoboda’s road to this remarkable recovery began more than a decade ago. In 2014, he noticed a small bump on the back of his knee. What doctors at UK HealthCare discovered was life-altering: osteosarcoma, an aggressive and rare form of bone cancer.
To combat it, surgeons inserted a mega prosthesis into his leg — an artificial implant replacing large sections of bone. The surgery extended his life and preserved his mobility, but came with a caution: “Infection is a future risk.”
That risk became a reality in the summer of 2024. The infection spread rapidly, and after an agonizing decision, Svoboda underwent an above-the-knee amputation. It was a blow to a man known for his athletic drive, outdoor lifestyle, and joyful energy.
“Will I Ever Ride Again?”
In the days following the surgery, Svoboda worried not just about recovery — but about identity. Would he be able to return to the physically active life he loved? Could he still be a present, engaged father of three? Would he be able to work outdoors, swim, ride, or mow his own lawn?
Today, those doubts have turned into accomplishments.
“I’m riding a bike again,” he says proudly. Using magnetic pedals and a prosthetic leg tailored for motion, Svoboda has pedaled his way back toward normalcy. “A fellow amputee gave me tips. That helped me believe it was possible.”
He also lifts weights regularly — sometimes with the prosthesis, sometimes without, depending on the exercise. He swims with adapted technique, relying heavily on his upper body, using his left leg only for stability in the water.
More Than Physical Recovery
But this journey isn’t just physical. It’s deeply mental, emotional, and spiritual. The rough days come — and when they do, Svoboda leans on lessons learned as a competitor.
“I set small goals,” he explains. “Whether it’s getting off the ground or getting back to work, you focus on progress, not perfection.”
The little things — getting up from the floor, crouching to pick up a dropped object, changing the oil in his car — are now obstacles that take patience and planning. Tennis, one of his passions, is no longer possible at the competitive level. Jogging is out of the question. But gratitude eclipses frustration.
“I’ve had more rough days this year than ever before,” he admits, “but I’m a positive person. That’s helped me push through.”
A Wildcat Through and Through
Kentucky fans remember Svoboda not for his minutes played, but for the heart he brought to the 1992–93 squad that captured the imagination of the Bluegrass. Though he played just 13 games, he made a lasting impression with a late three-pointer against Florida State in the Elite Eight, sealing UK’s return to the Final Four for the first time in nearly a decade.
“He became a fan favorite not because of stats, but because of effort,” one former teammate said. “That’s who Todd’s always been — all in.”
That same work ethic now drives him in a different arena: life after amputation.
Svoboda is back working full-time as a principal engineer with East Kentucky Power Cooperative, splitting his duties between the office and the field. At one point, he couldn’t perform his field responsibilities, but coworkers stepped up until he was cleared to return.
“It might take me a little longer,” he says, “but I’m doing everything I did before.”
A Community That Showed Up
Shortly after his surgery, friends, family, and supporters rallied around Svoboda. Over $44,000 was raised to support his recovery, including the purchase of a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg. The generosity was overwhelming — and humbling.
“People I didn’t even know sent words of encouragement or donations,” he says. “That support got me through the darkest moments.”
Hope, Strength, and the Road Ahead
Now 53, Svoboda is living proof that adversity does not have the final word. He’s a husband, a father, an engineer, a former Division II standout and Kentucky Wildcat — and a fighter. His cancer checkups continue, and so far, the news has been good.
To those facing similar challenges, Svoboda offers advice rooted in experience:
“Keep showing up. Set small goals. Let people help you. And don’t lose hope.”
His story has touched the hearts of fans, amputees, and cancer survivors across the country — a story not just of survival, but of revival.
Kentucky basketball has seen champions, legends, and icons. But in Todd Svoboda, it has something rarer: a reminder that true victory isn’t always won on the court. Sometimes, it’s won when you learn to walk — or ride — all over again.
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