Former NBA players DeShawn Stevenson and Al Jefferson expressed their gratitude to former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan. The two players showed their appreciation to Sloan after recent reports revealed that the Hall of Fame head coach is “dying” because of Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Stevenson, who played for four seasons under Sloan earlier in his NBA career, said that he felt bad after hearing the news. The 38-year-old then sent his well-wishes to his former mentor, saying that Sloan had a huge impact on him in his career.
“You’re a great man,” Stevenson said of Sloan via Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News. “You taught me a lot and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Jefferson also had nothing but praises for Sloan despite having a short partnership in Utah earlier in his NBA career. Jefferson played for the Jazz for three seasons, which started during the 2010-2011 season.
After the 2010-2011 season, the Jazz and Sloan mutually agreed to part ways. Jefferson said that he wished he could have spent more time with the legendary coach in Utah, but he will always remember his time under the 77-year-old coach.
“It was awesome,” Jefferson said of his six-month experience under Sloan in Utah via Matthew Glade of KSL Sports. “Coach Sloan is one of the type of coaches who motivates you, and made you play hard every night, night and night out.”
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