Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is suffering from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Sloan informed the Salt Lake Tribune that he was diagnosed with the illnesses last fall.
Sloan has continued to be active despite being hit with the diseases, walking four miles every day and saying that he does not want anyone to feel sorry for him. Yet despite his activity, it seems that his symptoms have continued to progress in this time.
The 74-year old Sloan has difficulty with his memory and analytical thinking as a result of the dementia and has to struggle with tremors in his body as a result of his Parkinson’s disease.
Sloan is one of the most iconic coaches in NBA history leading the Jazz from the sidelines from 1988 to 2011. In that time, he accumulated a record of 1,127-682 including several deep playoff runs that culminated in Finals losses. He was perhaps best known for leading the Jazz teams that revolutionized pick and roll offense with John Stockton and Karl Malone. Sloan’s successes led to his inauguration into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry Sloan as he continues to battle these illnesses.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
