Michael Jordan, Mike Krzyzewski, James Worthy, Larry Brown & Other Luminaries Reflect On A Man Who Transcended Basketball In One-Hour Documentary

NEW YORK (Feb. 10, 2015) – The life both on and off the court of legendary University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith is the subject of a one-hour SHOWTIME Sports^® documentary titled “DEAN SMITH”, premiering on Wednesday, March 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

“DEAN SMITH” is produced by SHOWTIME Sports and Ross Greenburg Productions with 52-time Emmy Award winner Ross Greenburg (Against The Tide; Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals) serving as Executive Producer.  The documentary, which began production in early 2014, is directed and edited by George Roy and written by Steve Stern.

Smith, who retired in 1997 with the most wins in college basketball history, is remembered in “DEAN SMITH” by his former players, assistants and rival coaches as a man with “infinite sincerity” and a deep “sense of social consciousness.” 

“DEAN SMITH paints the picture of a man who was not just an accomplished basketball coach, but also a passionate activist with a life-long commitment to social justice," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  "He taught and led both his student-athletes and the community at large with a consistent example of excellence and integrity."

Viewers will hear from Charlie Scott, the first African American scholarship athlete at UNC.  Scott’s account of Smith’s compassion and humility are echoed by over a dozen subjects who remember their coach, mentor, rival and friend. 

Former UNC basketball players Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Antawn Jamison, Eric Montross and J.R. Reid are among those who reflect on the impact that Smith had on their lives while playing for the Tar Heels and the lasting bond that some described as stronger after they left Chapel Hill. 

The 36-year head coach, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 83, was known as a fierce competitor who often drew the ire of some colleagues in the ACC as the boys in Carolina Blue fought their way to 17 regular season conference titles and two NCAA national championships.  But in “DEAN SMITH” viewers will come to understand how Smith earned the respect, admiration and love from so many, even from his biggest rival, Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. 

Always a teacher and leader, Smith graduated 96 percent of his players and instilled a sense of family in Chapel Hill.  As Jordan, who helped lead the Tar Heels to Smith’s first NCAA title in 1982, remembers in “DEAN SMITH,” he was always supportive of his players when it was time to leave for the NBA but advocated that they return to Chapel Hill to earn their degrees. 

“Living up to the promise that he made to my mom when I first got there... he built it into my Chicago Bulls contract that if I went back and graduated I would earn a certain amount of money,” said Jordan.  “And that was motivating for me to go back, but at the same time it was one of those situations where he would appease my parents.”

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Contacts:  
Chris DeBlasio, Showtime Networks Inc: 212-708-1633, Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net

Matt Donovan, Showtime Networks Inc: 212-708-1663, Matt.Donovan@Showtime.net

Flo Jocou, Showtime Networks Inc: (212) 708-7319, Flo.Jocou@showtime.net