Pat Summitt's family, friends convene around ex-Lady Vols coach 'preparing for the worst'

Pat Summitt’s family, friends and former players have convened in Knoxville over concerns about the former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach’s health.

A multitude of others have done the same across the country, rallying on social media around the hashtag #PrayforPat for the winningest coach in the history of men’s and women’s Division I basketball.

Summitt’s family released a statement late Sunday morning regarding her condition, acknowledging "the past few days have been difficult for Pat as her early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s Type progresses."

Pat Summitt’s statue stands for more than 1,098 wins and 8 national titles

The statement from Erin Freeman of Ackermann Public Relations also said, "She is surrounded by those who mean the most to her and during this time, we ask for prayers for Pat and her family and friends, as well as your utmost respect and privacy. Thank you."

Five hours earlier, a source told the Knoxville News Sentinel that Summitt was "struggling" and those close to her were "preparing for the worst."

"I don’t think anybody knows whether she will last a day, a month, or a year," the source said.

Summitt announced in August 2011 that she had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

As of late Saturday, Summitt, 64, had not been moved from the retirement center where she has been living since late January, the source said.

Nearly 20 former Lady Vols have visited Summitt and some have stayed. WNBA stars Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings both traveled in and out of Knoxville this weekend after league games. Parker came following the Los Angeles Sparks’ game at Minnesota on Friday night. Catchings visited after Indiana’s game at Dallas on Saturday night.

Along with the players, former Lady Vols assistant coach Mickie DeMoss is in town, too.

Other former players posted photos on social media from their playing days and expressed prayer wishes for Summitt and her family.

Incoming women’s basketball freshman Kamera Harris tweeted early Sunday morning: 

Later on Sunday, Lady Vols guard Diamond DeShields tweeted:

Another Lady Vols guard, Andraya Carter, tweeted "My thoughts are with the greatest coach of all time and her wonderful family. Keep fighting @patsummitt!"

Outside of the Lady Vol family, reaction ranged from the Tennessee Smokies baseball team to SEC Network radio host Paul Finebaum.

Among the well-wishers was Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who tweeted early Sunday morning: 

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley advised her Twitter followers "to lock hands and #PrayForPat." 

Steve Spurrier, who coached football at South Carolina and Florida, is a friend of Summitt’s. He tweeted: 

Tennessee football coach Butch Jones tweeted: 

Despite her diagnosis, Summitt coached the 2011-12 season before stepping down. She concluded her storied 38-year career with 1,098 victories and eight national championships.

Summitt, known for her steely glare on the sideline, was hired as the Lady Vols coach as a 22-year-old in 1974. Two years later she was co-captain on the silver-medal winning U.S. Olympic team. In 1984 she coached the Olympic team to a gold medal.

Basketball has factored into almost every aspect of her life, including the birth of her son, Tyler, in 1990. Even though her water had broken she finished a recruiting visit in Pennsylvania, then urged pilots not to stop on the way home so her son could be born in Tennessee.

Her all-time record was 1,098-208 (.840). She coached 47 percent of her games against ranked opponents and also had a .913 winning percentage at home (504-48).

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The court at Thompson Boling Arena, where the Lady Vols and Vols play, is called "The Summitt."

The "We Back Pat" campaign began almost immediately after Summitt’s medical announcement. Fighting Alzheimer’s became her cause before her coaching career ended as well. In November 2011, Summitt and Tyler announced the formation of the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund, with proceeds going toward Alzheimer’s research.

President Barack Obama announced she was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in April 2012.

ESPN recognized her accomplishments with the documentary "Pat XO" in July 2013.

In November 2013, the Pat Summitt Plaza, which included a statue, was dedicated on campus.

Dan Fleser writes for the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY SPORTS NETWORK.