Legendary college basketball coach in declining health

Pat Summitt diagnosed with dementia in 2012

(Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The family of former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt says that the last few days have been difficult for the 64-year-old as her Alzheimer's disease progresses.

Amid reports of Summitt's failing health, her family issued a statement asking for prayers and saying that she is surrounded by the people who mean the most to her.

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Former Tennessee player Tamika Catchings was flying to Knoxville to visit the Hall of Fame coach instead of returning to Indiana with the WNBA's Fever.

Summitt stepped down as Tennessee's coach in 2012, one year after announcing her diagnosis of early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. She went 1,098-208 with eight national titles.