Top men's basketball coaches among those who pay respect to Pat Summitt

Naturally, Pat Summitt's passing has sparked widespread grief, reaction and reflection.

I encourage you to take a little time and really grasp Summitt's legacy and long-lasting impact. Read our Jon Solomon's great piece right here. For perspective on Geno Auriemma's rivalry, respect and relationship with Summitt, read this terrific Jeff Jacobs piece in the Hartford Courant. To understand how multiple generations of girls grew up wanting, knowing they could play basketball at a high level, read ESPN.com's Kate Fagan. And no reporter/writer knew Summitt better than stellar Washington Post vet Sally Jenkins.

More reactions from around the sports world, from former players to those outside of basketball, starting with President Barack Obama.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski: "There's no question, [she] was really one of the greatest coaches of any sport. I can remember early in my career when C.M. Newton, one of the great guys in men's college basketball, wanted to hire her to be a men's coach. He said 'Look, you should go to one of her practices because she knows how to coach.' She really put women's basketball out there, in other words, what she did with recruiting, accomplishments and championships really set the foundation for where women's basketball is in our country right now. [She's] really the gold standard of women's college basketball. She produced so many pros and set the bar at a really high level for basketball.

"[Knoxville] was the center for women's basketball. If you wanted to really look at the start, you would go to Pat Summitt and you would go from there. Obviously, Geno [Auriemma] is doing an unbelievable job at Connecticut, but that would not have been without Pat. [She was] a tremendous person, teacher and competitor. We shared a great honor in 2011 where we were both picked as Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated. We shared a cover, and we joked over the years as we signed so many. Whenever I got one that someone wanted signed, I said 'If it's signed by you, then I'll sign it. What a terrific person and coach."

Kentucky coach John Calipari: "Pat Summitt was a Hall of Famer and a true ambassador for our sport. She championed women everywhere and created opportunities for them. Would there be a WNBA without her incredible influence? Rest in peace, Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family."

Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart: "Pat Summitt is synonymous with Tennessee, but she truly is a global icon who transcended sports and spent her entire life making a difference in other peoples' lives. She was a genuine, humble leader who focused on helping people achieve more than they thought they were capable of accomplishing. Pat was so much more than a Hall of Fame coach; she was a mother, mentor, leader, friend, humanitarian and inspiration to so many. Her legacy will live on through the countless people she touched throughout her career."

Tennessee coach Holly Warlick: "Pat was my coach, my mentor, my colleague and a very dear friend. It is impossible to put into words how much she has meant to me and so many other individuals here at Tennessee and beyond.

"She played a very significant role in molding me into the person I am, and I will forever be grateful for the genuine care, guidance and wisdom she unselfishly shared with me and so many others through the years. I'll always treasure the laughter we shared, the stories we loved to tell and certainly those stories we embellished.

Pat gave me strength and courage to face anything. She was driven to perfection and always remained true to her standards. That meant doing things the right way, no matter what. In my eyes, there's never been anyone better than Pat Summitt. She entrusted me with her legacy, and I will continue embracing her passion and doing everything in my power to uphold that."

Kara Lawson, a standout at UT from 1999-2003, spoke for so many when she simply said ...

Candace Parker, perhaps the best college player ever to wear a Lady Vols uniform.

Holly Warlick is Summitt's successor at UT, the current coach of the Lady Vols.

You can absolutely make the argument that the WNBA does not exist without Pat Summitt. Here, the president of the WNBA gives her thoughts.

Tyler Summitt, Pat's son, was with her in her final days and hours.

Geno Auriemma's reflections will be sought after plenty today and throughout the week. He and Summitt have a complicated history. The two giants of women's college basketball.

Another Tennessee great, Peyton Manning, released a statement. Summitt is an even bigger icon in Tennessee than Manning.

Jay Bilas, one of the sport's predominant commentators.

Kansas coach Bill Self speaks all truth here.

Former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl took time to honor his former colleague.

This story has rightfully gone viral. Love the kicker.

Kentucky basketball pays its respects.

Sports Illustrated took time to share this photo of Summitt in '84.

This is a great Instagram post from Becky Hammon, who is considered a women's basketball pioneer in her own right.