Sunday 25 October 2015 19:11, UK
Minnesota Timberwolves general manager and head coach Phil 'Flip' Saunders has died following a short fight with cancer.
The 60-year-old, who enjoyed more than 1,000 victories in a coaching career spanning 35 years, previously spent time with the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards.
Saunders announced in August he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma but doctors had been confident of a successful recovery.
At the time, he said he wanted to remain as Minnesota's coach and president of basketball operations.
He was hospitalised in September, however, after his condition deteriorated and on Friday it was announced he would miss the whole 2015/16 season.
A statement said: "It is with extreme sadness that the Minnesota Timberwolves today learned that Phil 'Flip' Saunders, who served as the team's President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, in addition to being a minority owner of the team, passed away today at age 60."
