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Read Dean Smith’s recruiting letter to Michael Jordan from 1980 (Photo)

By Sam Richmond

Aug 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Former basketball great Michael Jordan sits in Roger Federer
Aug 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Former basketball great Michael Jordan sits in Roger Federer /
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Legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith passed away Saturday. Here is a look at his 1980 recruiting letter to Michael Jordan.

The world lost one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history Saturday, as former North Carolina coach Dean Smith passed away at 83.

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During his 36-year career at UNC, Smith’s most famous pupil was Michael Jordan. The future Chicago Bulls legend played under Smith from 1981-1984, leading the Tar Heels to a title in 1982, earning All-American honors twice (1984, 1984) and being named Player of the Year in 1984.

In the remembrance of Smith, his recruiting letter to Jordan from 1980 has re-surfaced.

RELATED: Relive a few of Dean Smith’s career highlights

Read it for yourself below:

It’s pretty remarkable to read that letter 35 years later. Jordan choosing North Carolina is a critical moment in basketball history. As Jordan made clear in a statement following the news of Smith’s passing, the legendary coach helped mold Jordan both as a basketball player and as a man.

"“Other than my parents, no one had a bigger influence on my life than Coach Smith. He was more than a coach – he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father. 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 averaged 17.7 points (54.0 percent shooting from the field), 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. During his Player of the Year-winning season in 1984, he averaged 19.6 points (55.1 percent shooting from the floor), 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

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

During his 36-year career at UNC, Smith went 879-254, made 11 Final Four appearances and won two national championships.

Smith and Jordan are one of the most historic player-coach combos in basketball history and we were all fortunate to be able to witness the two together.

Next: Michael Jordan releases statement on Dean Smith’s passing

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