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Michael Jordan releases statement on Dean Smith’s passing

By Mike Dyce

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA legend Michael Jordan has released a statement on the passing of former North Carolina head coach Dean Smith.

Dean Smith will go down as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history, and when he retired after 36 seasons with UNC he was the winningest coach in college basketball history.

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On Saturday night he passed away peacefully in his sleep and the college basketball world is mourning and remembering the legendary coach. Current Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams released a statement on behalf of the basketball program and one of Smith’s most famous players has released a statement on Smith’s passing as well.

“Other than my parents, no one had a bigger influence on my life than Coach Smith,” Jordan said in a statement. “He was more than a coach – he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father.

RELATED: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski comments on Dean Smith’s passing

“Coach was always there for me whenever I needed him and I loved him for it. In teaching me the game of basketball he taught me about life. My heart goes out to Linnea and their kids. We’ve lost a great man who had an incredible impact on his players, his staff and the entire UNC family.”

Jordan was a member of Smith’s 1982 national championship team, and was a two-time consensus first-team All-American at North Carolina. He was also the national college player of the year and ACC player of the year in 1984 and eventually had his number retired by North Carolina.

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