Sad news arrived from the world of basketball today as it was announced that Golden State Warriors legend Alvin Attles passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87.
“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.
“This is a difficult day for me. Alvin Attles had a huge, positive influence on me and my career, not just drafting me in 1985 and bringing me to the Bay Area but guiding me through my journey as a player and a young man, both in good and difficult times,” said Chirs Mullin. “He was a dear friend, mentor and role model and someone I admired tremendously and tried to emulate. He set the standard for all of us when it comes to integrity and humility and was truly a champion both on and off the court. There will never be another Alvin Attles.”
Attles is one of only six players to have his number (#16) retired by the Warriors, joining legends Rick Barry (#24), Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Tom Meschery (#14), Chris Mullin (#17) and Nate Thurmond (#42).
He spent over 60 years with the organization and in 2019, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame along with Vlade Divac, Sidney Moncrief and Teresa Weatherspoon.
RIP to the Golden State legend, Alvin Attles.
