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SALT LAKE CITY — Former Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, family members confirmed to KSL's Rod Zundel Wednesday.
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition which can cause body tremors, muscle stiffness, and physical movements. Lewy body dementia is the second-most common type of progressive dementia behind Alzheimer's disease, according to University of Utah Health Care.
After the illness was first reported Wednesday afternoon by the Salt Lake Tribune, Zundel spoke to a close member of the family who said the family has been dealing with this for some time now, and Sloan's condition is not getting any better.
Several people close to the Jazz organization have weighed in to lend their support to Sloan. Steve Starks, president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, tweeted the following:
Now that Coach Sloan has shared the news on his health I will join the many others in expressing support. Simply put, a living legend! — Steve Starks (@StevenStarks) April 6, 2016
Sloan coached the Jazz for 23 seasons from 1988 to 2011, pushing the Jazz to the brink of an NBA championship twice during the late 1990s. His 1,221 wins in his coaching career ranks third all time, just behind Don Nelson and Lenny Wilkens.
Sloan's career in sport was recognized by an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
The Utah Jazz released a statement on Jerry Sloan Wednesday evening:
"Jerry Sloan is and always will be a beloved member of the Utah Jazz family, and we know he will approach this fight with the same grit and determination he displayed as a Hall of Fame coach and All-Star player in the NBA for 40-plus years. On behalf of the Miller family, the Jazz organization and Jazz fans everywhere, we send Jerry and his wife Tammy our love, support, and best wishes."
Contributing: Rod Zundel, Andrew Adams
