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Legendary UNC coach Dean Smith leaves touching gift for former players

Even after he was gone, legendary North Carolina men's basketball coach Dean Smith wanted to let his players know that he still cared.
/ Source: TODAY

Even after he was gone, legendary North Carolina men's basketball coach Dean Smith wanted to let his players know that he still cared.

Smith, who died at 83 last month, had it in his will that checks for $200 be sent to all 180 of the letter-winners who played for him during his 36 seasons with the Tar Heels. Michael Jordan and fellow NBA legend James Worthy were among those who received checks.

On Monday, the checks were mailed out to the former players with a letter that said to "enjoy a dinner out compliments of coach Dean Smith."

Smith, who won 879 games and two national titles at North Carolina, was known for his amazing memory when it came to former players and his character away from the court.

"This was the kind of man that he was," the trustee of Smith's trust, Tim Breedlove, told ESPN. "It's one more example of his thoughtfulness."

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