Former UNC Basketball Legend Dean Smith Dies at 83

Dean Smith, the legendary head coach for the University of North Carolina basketball team, has passed away on Saturday at the age of 83, the UNC's official athletics website revealed.

"It's such a great loss for North Carolina - our state, the University, of course the Tar Heel basketball program, but really the entire basketball world. We lost one of our greatest ambassadors for college basketball for the way in which a program should be run. 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," UNC head coach and longtime protege of Smith's, Roy Williams said in a statement. "He set the standard for loyalty and concern for every one of his players, not just the games won or lost. He was the greatest there ever was on the court but far, far better off the court with people. His concern for people will be the legacy I will remember most."

According to Smith's family, he "passed away peacefully" at his home in Chapel Hill. His wife and five children were with him in his final moments. Smith has suffered from dementia for years.

Smith's career with the North Carolina Tar Heels started in 1961. In 36 seasons, he led the team to 879 wins with just 254 losses. Smith also led the team to two national championships in 1982 and 1992. In 1986, the school named its basketball arena for Smith. Since that day, the arena is still popularly referred to as "the Dean Dome."

Over his career, Smith coached some of basketball's greatest, who included Michael Jordan, Billy Cunningham, James Worthy and Vince Carter.

Upon hearing the news, Jordan released a statement that read:

"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."

To read the letter Smith wrote to Jordan, click here.

Here are other reactions:

"Not many people are willing to share everything about themselves with another person that will make the other person better, and he was willing to do that," Phil Ford said . "Not only with me, but with everyone that played for him, and basically everyone he came in contact with."

"All of his players benefited greatly from his basketball teachings, but even more from his ability to help mold men of integrity, honor and purpose. Those teachings, specifically, will live forever in those he touched," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewsk said. 

"His influence on my life didn't end when I left Chapel Hill, as he was a trusted and valuable advisor to me when I became a player, then an executive in the NBA. He had a hugely positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young men who were lucky enough to call him Coach, and I was blessed to be among them," Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, who played for Smith from 1972-76, said.

Smith will be remembered as one of the greatest college coaches of all time.