Current, Former NBA Players Remember Legendary Utah Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan
May 22, 2020, 10:33 AM | Updated: May 23, 2020, 4:25 pm
Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan watches as Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) throws the ball inbounds as the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves play NBA basketball in Salt Lake City, Utah 1/20/09. (Photo by Tom Smart / Deseret News)
(Photo by Tom Smart / Deseret News)
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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Current and former NBA players remembered former Utah Jazz and hall of fame head coach Jerry Sloan after he had passed away on Friday, May 22.
Sloan was 78 years old.
The legendary coach had been dealing with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia since April 2016.
After learning of Sloan’s passing, both NBA players from decades ago as well as current basketball stars remembered and honored the Jazz legend.
Former Utah Jazz and current New Orleans Pelicans forward Derrick Favors said, “RIP Coach Sloan.”
RIP Coach Sloan 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/U0Uz9WDsDK
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) May 22, 2020
Former Jazzman and current Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap shared, “Thank you for the opportunities, thank you for the lessons, thank you for help mold me into a great basketball player and man. I will always bring my “lunch pail” to work! RIP Coach Sloan.”
Thank you for the opportunities, thank you for the lessons, thank you for help mold me into a great basketball player and man. I will always bring my “lunch pail” to work! RIP Coach Sloan 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/GPICXmG7N6
— Paul Millsap (@Paulmillsap4) May 22, 2020
Former Jazz All-Star and NBA guard Deron Williams posted, “Very sad to hear about the passing of Coach Sloan this am. I’m praying for Tammy and their family during this time. I know things didn’t end well between us in Utah, however I’m glad that I got the chance to sit down with him before it was too late. Definitely something that would have haunted me for the rest of my life. Blessed that I got to play for him and learn so much from him during my 5 1/2 years in Utah. You knew he always had your back when you stepped out on that court.”
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Former Jazz All-Star and NBA forward Carlos Boozer said, “Completely heart broken this morning… Praying for Tammy and the family… Coach Allowed Me To Flourish And Take My Game To Another Level… As Ferocious As He Was On The Court & Sidelines, Off The Court He Was Thoughtful And Kind… Was So Amazing To My Family.. My Years In Utah Were Special Not Just Because Of My Teammates Or Larry Miller (our owner) But Large In Part To Coach Sloan Making It A Family First Environment!!! I Know You’re In A Better Place, But We Miss You!!! Rest Easy Coach.”
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Former Jazz forward C.J. Miles tweeted, “Sad day man. Rest easy legend. Thank you for everything. You changed my life for the better.”
Sad day man.. Rest easy legend .. Thank you for everything.. you changed my life for the better.. https://t.co/HUdxD60zgt
— C.J. Miles (@masfresco) May 22, 2020
Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell said, “RIP Coach Sloan! Legend!”
RIP Coach Sloan! ❤️ Legend!! https://t.co/hKeAReoqLV
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 22, 2020
Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert tweeted, “R.I.P. Jerry Sloan.”
R.I.P Jerry Sloan 🙏🏽
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 22, 2020
Jazzman Joe Ingles said, “RIP Coach. You don’t think of the Jazz without thinking of Coach Sloan, Thank you.”
RIP Coach.. You don’t think of the Jazz without thinking of Coach Sloan, Thankyou. https://t.co/89I7uUeZqy
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) May 22, 2020
“I didn’t get to spend a lot of time playing for Coach Sloan, but coming in as a rookie he had a major impact on my transition to the NBA. I’m grateful for that,” posted former Jazzman and Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward. “Prayers to his family, friends and loved ones. May he Rest In Peace.”
I didn't get to spend a lot of time playing for Coach Sloan, but coming in as a rookie he had a major impact on my transition to the @NBA. I'm grateful for that. Prayers to his family, friends and loved ones. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/DYJ4F4CvRw
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) May 22, 2020
Former Jazz guard, NBA player, and head coach Earl Watson said, “Prayers to Coach’s family, Jazz Nation & everyone coach made feel like family! Not only did coach teach us accountability of being a good teammate but he taught us life through consistent effort! We love you & miss you! In your words before every game “hit first”!”
Prayers to Coach’s family, Jazz Nation & everyone coach made feel like family! Not only did coach teach us accountability of being a good teammate but he taught us life through consistent effort! We love you & miss you! In your words before every game “hit first”! #foreverlegend
— Earl J Watson (@Earl_Watson) May 22, 2020
“You will be deeply missed,” posted former Jazz guard Mo Williams.
You will be deeply missed. #my1stnbacoach pic.twitter.com/ZiozXVYpcA
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) May 22, 2020
Former Jazz guard and son of Utah legendary John Stockton, David Stockton said, “Thanks Coach.”
Thanks Coach 🙏 https://t.co/oddUsXD0dh
— David Stockton (@dstockton32) May 22, 2020
Former Jazzman, NBA guard, and current basketball analyst Tim Legler said, “So sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Sloan. I was fortunate to spend a short time playing for him with the Utah Jazz early in my career. He made a lasting impression on me as a great basketball mind and a family man of integrity. Praying for comfort for his family.”
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Sloan. I was fortunate to spend a short time playing for him with @utahjazz early in my career. He made a lasting impression on me as a great basketball mind and a family man of integrity. Praying for comfort for his family. #RIPCOACH
— Timothy Legler (@LegsESPN) May 22, 2020
Former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard posted, “Rest In Peace Jerry Sloan.”
Rest In Peace Jerry Sloan 🙏🏽 @utahjazz https://t.co/v3jpTPaktC
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 22, 2020
“Prayers are with Jerry Sloan’s family today. The game lost a legend,” tweeted Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul.
Prayers are with Jerry Sloan’s family today. The game lost a legend 🙏🏾
— Chris Paul (@CP3) May 22, 2020
“Our condolences to Jerry Sloan’s family & friends. RIP Coach Sloan,” tweeted NBA legend Bill Russell.
Our condolences to Jerry Sloan’s family & friends. #RIP Coach Sloan @chicagobulls @utahjazz @NBA
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) May 22, 2020
Former Bulls guard and NBA great Scottie Pippen said, “I loved everything about Jerry Sloan, from the way he played to the way he coached. He was a tenacious competitor who represented the Bulls of the 70s so well. Jerry became one of my favorite coaches when he was on the 1996 Dream Team staff and it was an honor to learn from him.”
I loved everything about Jerry Sloan, from the way he played to the way he coached. He was a tenacious competitor who represented the Bulls of the 70s so well. Jerry became one of my favorite coaches when he was on the 1996 Dream Team staff and it was an honor to learn from him. pic.twitter.com/pEhbmiFbzp
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) May 22, 2020
NBA guard Jamal Crawford said, “RIP to the great Jerry Sloan.”
RIP to the great Jerry Sloan..
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 22, 2020
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins said, “The NBA Family lost an All-Time Great today, RIP to the Great Jerry Sloan.”
The NBA Family lost an All-Time Great today. RIP to the Great Jerry Sloan. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾😢
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 22, 2020
Current Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas said, “RIP Jerry Sloan.”
RIP Jerry Sloan
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) May 22, 2020
Former NBA player Vernon Maxwell said, “Sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry Sloan. Rest In Peace.”
Sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry Sloan. Rest In Peace
— Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) May 22, 2020
Former NBA guard C.J. Watson said, “RIP Jerry Sloan.”
RIP Jerry Sloan
— C.J. Watson (@Quietstorm_32) May 22, 2020
Former NBA forward Detlef Schrempf said that Jerry Sloan was “one of the best and toughest.”
R.I.P. Jerry Sloan. One of the best and toughest.
— Detlef Schrempf (@Dschrempf) May 22, 2020
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Evan Turner said, “R.I.P. Jerry Sloan.”
R.I.P. Jerry Sloan
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 22, 2020
San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay also said, “RIP Jerry Sloan.”
Rip Jerry Sloan 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) May 22, 2020
Former NBA guard Baron Davis said, “RIP Jerry Sloan.”
Rip Jerry Sloan 😰😥🙏🏾🌹
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) May 22, 2020
Former NBA player and coach Avery Johnson said Jerry Sloan was a “GREAT GREAT COACH!”
#RIP Jerry Sloan GREAT GREAT COACH ! @utahjazz
— Avery Johnson (@CoachAvery6) May 22, 2020
The official NBA Alumni Twitter account posted, “The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends, players and fans of Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan.”
The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends, players and fans of Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan. pic.twitter.com/bBSdmqbPd7
— NBA Alumni (@NBAalumni) May 22, 2020
This story will be updated.
