By Marcus R. Fuller

St. Paul Pioneer Press

When it came to basketball in Minnesota, whether it was at the NBA, college or high school levels, just about everyone was touched by Flip Saunders.

He was the greatest coach in Timberwolves history who coached the franchise’s greatest player, Kevin Garnett, and the two of them led the team to its greatest moment, a trip to the Western Conference Finals team.

He was a Gopher lifer, playing alongside legends like Kevin McHale and Mychal Thompson, coaching on the staff that won a Big Ten title and having his own children attend the U.

Everyone seemed to know or love “Flip,” so many hearts were heavy Sunday when Saunders died after a four-month battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 60 years old.

“Flip was a symbol of strength, compassion and dignity for our organization,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. “He was a shining example of what a true leader should be, defined by his integrity and kindness to all he encountered.”

Saunders, who was not expected to return to the team this season, was hospitalized last month when his conditioned worsened.

The Wolves open the season Wednesday night at the Los Angeles Lakers. But upon the news of Saunders’ death, they canceled practice Sunday and might reschedule their Monday flight to the west coast.

When the team announced Saunders’ leave of absence Sept. 11, his assistant Sam Mitchell took over as interim coach. General manager Milt Newton assumed the daily operations of the organization.

“Today is not a day to reflect on Flip’s accomplishments in basketball or what he brought to us as an organization on the court,” Taylor said, “but rather to indicate what he meant to us as a co-worker, friend, member of the community and the basketball world at large. We as an organization are devastated by his passing, and our hearts and prayers go out to Debbie and the entire Saunders family as they endure this extraordinary loss.”

Dozens of Saunders’ former players took to social media Sunday to pay their respects.

“Today, the guy who believed in me since day 1 passed away,” Wolves point guard Ricky Rubio said on Instagram. “He was all smiles passionate and really loved this game. He gave everything to the Timberwolves and did amazing things for us. He was our leader. Really gonna miss you coach. RestInPeace Flip.”

Second-year Wolves guard Zach LaVine’s Instagram post on Saunders said: “Thank you for everything you have done for me coach! U will Truly be missed. I know God will take good care of you and keep your family safe!#TwolvesFamily love ya Flip.”

“Flip you were one of a kind,” former Wolves star Kevin Love, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, said on Instagram. “Great basketball mind and even better human being. You had a great impact on my life personally and professionally. RIP my friend. Prayers are with the Saunders family during this time.”

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said in a statement that “the Timberwolves have lost a brilliant leader, and Minnesota has lost an outstanding citizen. I extend my deepest condolences to Flip’s team, family, and friends.”

Saunders’ illness didn’t appear terminal when he first went public with his condition in August, calling it a “very treatable and curable form of cancer.”

Saunders was diagnosed in June by team doctor Sheldon Burns and started treatment at Mayo Clinic soon after. Taylor said at the time that he didn’t expect Saunders to be away from the team once the season started.

“I am attacking this with the same passion I do everything in my life, knowing this is a serious issue,” Saunders said in a statement on Aug. 12.

Saunders, who grew up in Ohio, played guard for the University of Minnesota from 1974-77.

He met his wife, Debbie, at the U. They have four children: Ryan, Mindy, Rachel and Kimberly. Ryan Saunders is a Wolves assistant coach who followed his dad’s footsteps to play guard for the Gophers.