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Family of former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt ‘preparing for the worst’

Pat Summitt

Pat Summitt (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

AP

Legendary Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt is “struggling”, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, and the family is “preparing for the worst”.

Summitt has been battling early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type, since 2011, retiring after the 2011-12 season. She coached at Tennessee for 38 years, winning 1,098 games and eight national titles. The court at Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena is named “The Summitt”.

Summitt’s family released a statement on Sunday:

“We acknowledge the past few days have been difficult for Pat as her early onset dementia, ‘Alzheimer’s Type,’ progresses. She is surrounded by those who mean the most to her and, during this time, we ask for prayers for Pat and her family and friends, as well as your utmost respect and privacy. Thank you.”