Legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight has passed away at the age of 83.
Knight who won three NCAA championships at the University of Indiana and has several winning seasons at Texas Tech University, died after having a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Knight’s family in a statement shared “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family.”
The family continued “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy. Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored.”
🚨Just In: Bob Knight, Legendary Indiana Basketball Coach, Dead At 83 https://t.co/0kW1nMM8je
— DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 (@1Nicdar) November 1, 2023
Per Yahoo News:
Bob Knight, the basketball coach who won three NCAA national championships with Indiana University, has died at the age of 83.
Knight, known for his flare-ups courtside and tempestuous behavior had been battling dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and shaky health in the past few years.
His death was confirmed by his family, who opened up about the coach’s last hours.
Knight’s family released a statement confirming his passing. “It is with heavy hearts that we share that Coach Bob Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family.”
The message continued, “We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers and appreciate the continued respect for our privacy. Coach requested a private family gathering, which is being honored. We will continue to celebrate his life and remember him, today and forever as a beloved Husband, Father, Coach, and Friend.”
Knight’s family requested that fans make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or Marian University in lieu of flowers. The late basketball coach was battling with his health these past years. His death comes a week after he marked his 83rd birthday on October 25. The family didn’t address the cause of death, but the legendary coach died after suffering from dementia and being hospitalized for pneumonia in the past few years.
Knight began his impressive coaching career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He made history, winning three titles with the Indiana Hoosiers in 1976, 1981, and 1987. He spent 29 years at Indiana, achieved a school-record 661 games, and reached the NCAA tournament 24 times in 29 seasons.
Knight was known for being a very intense coach.
Take a look:
Bob knight launching a chair during a game is still iconic . Rip pic.twitter.com/KaXTfqUjGh
— John (@iam_johnw) November 1, 2023
President Trump paid his respect to Knight in a Truth Social Post.
🚨 Donald Trump reacts to the passing of Legendary Basketball Coach Bob Knight pic.twitter.com/k8sUPd9m6H
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 1, 2023
Per Fox News:
The death of Bob Knight on Wednesday made sports fans recount their memories of the legendary college basketball coach.
Knight, 83, was one of the most successful coaches ever but also one of the most controversial, calling for plenty of stories to be told.
But former President Donald Trump had only high opinions of Knight.
“The World just lost an incredible person, the Great Bobby Knight. He was not just an award-winning and record-breaking Coach, he was loyal to his Players, to his State, and to our Country—Tough as nails, but a big heart,” Trump wrote.
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