Dean Smith’s will gives $200 apiece to North Carolina players he coached
In life, Dean Smith gave North Carolina 36 seasons, 897 wins and two college baseketball national championships. In death, he left another $200 to each player who lettered while he was coaching the Tar Heels.
“Enjoy a dinner out compliments of Coach Dean Smith,” says a message accompanying the checks from the legendary coach’s trust to about 180 former players.
From 1961 to 1997 Smith was the face of the North Carolina basketball program. After he died Feb. 7 at age 83, current Tar Heels Coach Roy Williams ran Smith’s “Four Corners” offense as a tribute to his mentor.
More than 10,000 people attended a memorial service for Smith on campus, according to the Associated Press, and even Tobacco Road rival Duke honored him by sharing a pregame moment of silence with North Carolina in the weeks after his death.
The many notable Tar Heels alumni from Smith’s time include Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, Southern Methodist Coach Larry Brown, Sacramento Kings Coach George Karl and of course NBA great Michael Jordan.
North Carolina is set to face Wisconsin at 4:45 p.m. Thursday in a Sweet 16 matchup at Staples Center.
Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme
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