Al Attles, Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Legend, died in his San Francisco home with the family’s company on Tuesday at the age of 97, the Golden State Warriors announced on their social media. He was a former Warriors coach who led the franchise to the 1975 NBA Championship.
“Alvin leaves behind a profound legacy within the game of basketball and the Bay Area community, but especially as a family man and humanitarian, ” The Warriors said in a statement. “We mourn his loss alongside his wife, Wilhelmina, son Alvin, and all who knew and loved him.”
Al Attles’s Career as Player and Coach
The Golden State Warriors mourn the loss of franchise legend Alvin Attles, who passed away yesterday at the age of 87.
Alvin leaves behind a profound legacy within the game of basketball and the Bay Area community, but especially as a family man and humanitarian. We mourn his… pic.twitter.com/4QJ6XeiMwF
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 21, 2024
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Al Attles horned his basketball base in the local high school. After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University, he intended to return to New Jersey to coach a high school team before eventually accepting the Warriors’ training camp invitation.
The Warriors then picked Attles in the 1960 NBA Draft, where he began his NBA journey. Known for his tenacious playing style, he earned the nickname “The Destroyer”. Attles played his entire 11-year career with the Warriors, contributing significantly to the team’s success during the 1960s, including their two appearances in the NBA Finals in 1964 and 1967 alongside Wilt Chamberlain.
In his total 711 appearances with the Warriors, Attles averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Despite not being a prolific shooter, Attles excelled in his game in running, passing, and rebounding.
Transitioning from player to coach, Attles became the NBA’s second Black head coach while still an active player. He served as the Warriors’ head coach for 13 seasons, compiling a 557-518 record and leading the team to the playoffs six times. His most remarkable achievement came in the 1974-75 season when he coached the Warriors to their first NBA Championship, achieving a stunning 4-0 sweep over the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals.
Al Attles’ Contributions and Legacy to the Basketball World
Besides being a player and coach, Al Attles also represented the Warriors as a general manager and community ambassador, extending his legacy far beyond his on-court achievements. His contributions to the team were recognized with numerous awards, including the retirement of his No. 16 jersey and his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Attles was also honored with the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and the National Basketball Coaches Association’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Al Attles’ impact on basketball is profound. As one of the pioneers of an NBA Black head coach, He paved the way for future Black generations to step on the tenure. His leadership, modesty, and selflessness earned him immense respect within the basketball community. Attles’ dedication to the Warriors and his role as a mentor and humanitarian have left a long-lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
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