CARY, N.C. -- Youngstown State senior Dallas Blocker was named one of 10 finalists for the tenth annual V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is presented in conjunction with ESPN and the recipient will be announced March 30 during ESPN's basketball coverage, The V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced on Thursday.

Besides Blocker, the other finalists include: D'Andre Bell, Georgia Tech; Dallas Blocker, Youngstown State; Brianna Culberson, Denver; Kelvin Davis, San Diego State; Kelsey Griffin, Nebraska; Sanchez Hughley, Florida Atlantic; Thomas Kleinschnitz, Franciscan University of Steubenville; Kristen Lucci, Waynesburg; and Dana Pernell Smith II, Longwood.

Blocker was diagnosed with testicular cancer in February of 2009 and missed the final seven games of the 2008-09 season. He returned to the court in 2009-10 and played in 25 games with 23 starts while averaging 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

"To be named a finalist for the V Foundation Comeback Award is very humbling," said Blocker. "The V Foundation for Cancer Research has saved so many lives and I feel fortunate to have been able to beat cancer and finish my college basketball career."

"Dallas worked very hard to get back on the basketball court during and after his fight against cancer last year," YSU Head Coach Jerry Slocum. "We are proud of how he handled himself through that adversity and, more importantly, happy that he overcame this disease."

The annual award is open to men and women collegiate basketball student-athletes in all divisions. It is awarded to an individual or a team who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life or moral dilemma. Student-athletes are nominated by their athletics department representative. With a great show of respect, San Diego State's Kelvin Davis was nominated by BYU Head Coach Dave Rose, marking the first time a student-athlete was nominated by the coach of an opposing team. Both Davis and Rose are cancer survivors.

The award is presented in memory of Jim Valvano, the late basketball coach and ESPN commentator, whose personal battle with cancer inspired the creation of The V Foundation. In his memorable speech at ESPN's inaugural ESPY Awards announcing the creation of The V Foundation, Valvano's "Don't Give Up. . .Don't Ever Give Up!"® motto created a legacy from which the Comeback Award was created.

"We continue to be amazed at the strength and resilience of the student-athletes who are nominated for The V Foundation Comeback Award," said V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. "These young people are outstanding student-athletes who have faced adversity and challenges with determination and strength."

"This is the tenth anniversary of the award, and, once again, the nominees capture the ‘Never Give Up' spirit of The V Foundation," Valvano continued. "I would be honored to have my brother's name remembered with each and every one of them."

The 2010 recipient will be selected by a six-member sub-committee of The V Foundation Board of Directors. Past recipients of the award are: Katie Douglas, Purdue (2001); Kristin Koetsier, Western Michigan (2002); Justin Allen, Arizona State (2003); Jamie Carey, Texas (2004); Kayla Burt, Washington (2005); Grant Dykstra, Western Washington (2006); the United States Military Academy Women's Basketball Team (2007); Nicole Hester, Drexel (2008); Tiffara Steward, Farmingdale State (2009).