LOS ANGELES — The family of John Wooden has a request for his many fans: Please stop sending items for the 98-year-old coaching great to autograph.

Wooden, who coached UCLA to a record 10 national basketball titles, is recovering from pneumonia that put him in the hospital.

Wooden's daughter said Tuesday the family appreciates the support and respect of fans across the country, but certain steps need to be taken.

"The amount of mail Dad receives on a daily basis is just overwhelming, and that doesn't include the items sent to the basketball office at UCLA," Nan Muehlhausen said in a statement released Tuesday by the school. "Dad would try to sign every item if he could, but the number of items he is receiving has increased greatly in the last few months.

"Dad is 98 years old and we believe that signing his name for hours on end on a daily basis is not in his best interest."

Muehlhausen said items that have already been mailed or shipped to Wooden will be returned to the sender.

Wooden, who retired in 1975, spent time in the hospital a year ago after breaking his left wrist and collarbone in a fall at his home.