Minnesota Timberwolves head coach, Flip Saunders died at the age of 60 years old from his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
According to TMZ, the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves lost their head coach on Sunday Oct. 25. Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and announced that he was being treated for the disease back in August, according to the site. It was announced on Friday, Oct. 23 that Saunders was expected to miss the upcoming season due to the severity of his illness, but ultimately passed away before the season's start.
Saunders coached for well over 35 years, winning 654 games during his time as an NBA coach. According to TMZ, Saunders coached the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards and worked with players like, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and John Wall.
Some of the players that Saunders worked with shared their condolences via social media as reported by Sporting News.
A photo posted by johnwall (@johnwall) on Oct 25, 2015 at 11:36am PDT
Flip you were one of a kind. Great basketball mind and even better human being. You had a great impact on my life personally and professionally. RIP my friend. Prayers are with the Saunders family during this time. A photo posted by @kevinlove on Oct 25, 2015 at 11:26am PDT
The NBA also tweeted their love and support for the family and their gratitude toward Saunders in a post that read, "With more than 40 years around the game, 20 of them in the NBA, Flip's untimely passing has left a gaping hole in the fabric of our league." To the family, the NBA wrote, "We offer our most sincere condolences to Flip's wife, Debbie, their four children, and the entire Minnesota Timberwolves organization."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Flip Saunders pic.twitter.com/qsh5usiYmw
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2015
