Sad news arrived from the world of basketball as it was announced that Golden State Warriors legend Alvin Attles passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87.
The Golden State Warriors mourn the loss of franchise legend Alvin Attles, who passed away yesterday at the age of 87.
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 21, 2024
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
“Alvin Attles did not just epitomize what it meant to be a Warrior—he was Mr. Warrior,” said the Warriors in a statement. “His tenacious playing style earned him the affectionate nickname of “The Destroyer” on the court, but it was his gentle soul, grace and humility off the court that served as a guiding light for the organization for more than six decades.
“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 loss alongside his wife, Wilhelmina, son Alvin, and all who knew and loved him.”
The Basketball Hall of Famer was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors with the 39th pick in the 1960 NBA Draft. He stayed with the team when it moved across the country to San Francisco and played his entire 11-year career with the team, averaging 8.9 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.5 rpg.
A career that included becoming an assistant coach with the team in 1968 during his eighth season while still playing. In 1971, he retired as a player and was named the team’s full-time head coach. Four years later, Attles became the second Black head coach in NBA history to win an NBA title (Bill Russell, 1968, 69) and the second youngest Black head coach (35) behind Rusell (34) to accomplish the feat.
The Newark, NJ native and North Carolina A&T alum coached the franchise for over 13 seasons and is the team’s all-time winningest coach with 557 wins (557-518, for a .518 winning percentage).
After the 1982-83 season, Attles retired from coaching and became the team’s general manager for three years.
His passing was devastating to all who knew him.
