Michael Jordan paid tribute on Sunday to the man who helped mould him into one of the greatest athletes the world has seen.
Long-time University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, who died on Saturday night at the age of 83, had a bigger influence on Jordan's life than anyone but his parents, the former NBA star said.
"He was more than a coach - he was my mentor, my teacher, my second father," Jordan said in a statement.
"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."
Smith recruited Jordan to North Carolina and drew up the play that allowed Jordan, a freshman, to take the game-winning shot against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA championship game.
The pair remained close after Jordan moved on to a legendary NBA career, and Jordan on Sunday passed along his condolences to Smith's wife Linnea and their children.
"We've lost a great man who had an incredible impact on his players, his staff and the entire UNC family," Jordan added.