RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina coaching great Dean Smith is dealing with memory loss.

His family sent a letter to former players and coaches Saturday, discussing the 79-year-old Hall of Famer's health after generally declining to comment for privacy reasons. Smith's condition was described as a "progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory."

According to the letter, Smith "insists" on watching North Carolina's televised games to cheer for the Tar Heels and Roy Williams, an assistant to Smith for 10 years before spending 15 years at Kansas.

Smith's health became a question after The Fayetteville Observer recently reported he had occasional memory loss.