Sad news in the basketball world. Legendary University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith died on Saturday night (Feb. 7). He was 83.
Reports ESPN:
Smith’s family announced the Hall of Fame coach’s death in a statement released Sunday by the university.
“Coach Dean Smith passed away peacefully the evening of February 7 at his home in Chapel Hill, and surrounded by his wife and five children,” Smith’s family said in a statement. “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy as arrangements are made available to the public. Thank you.”
Smith coached the Tar Heels from 1961 to 1997, going 879-254 and retiring as the winningest coach in college basketball history. North Carolina won NCAA championships in 1982 and 1993 and reached the Final Four 11 times under Smith.
“We lost one of our greatest ambassadors for college basketball for the way in which a program should be run,” said current Tar Heels coach Roy Williams, who worked as an assistant under Smith. “We lost a man of the highest integrity who did so many things off the court to help make the world a better place to live in.
“He set the standard for loyalty and concern for every one of his players, not just the games won or lost.”
Smith retired in 1997 with 897 victories.
Some of the NBA basketball greats that laced up their kicks to play for UNC and Smith included Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, Vince Carter and, of course, Michael Jordan.
Rest in power Dean Smith.
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Photo: AP Photo/Raleigh News and Observer, Robert Willett
