HBCU and NBA Legend Alvin Attles Passes Away at 87 

North Carolina A&T State University and Golden State Warriors legend Alvin Attles died at 87.

North Carolina A&T State University and Golden State Warriors legend Alvin Attles has passed at the age of 87. The Golden State Warriors confirmed his death on Wednesday, stating he was surrounded by family at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Attles, a standout athlete at North Carolina A&T from 1956 to 1960, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history. He led the Aggies to consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles in 1958 and 1959, marking the beginning of a remarkable career in basketball. In a testament to his impact, Attles’ number 22 was the first jersey retired by North Carolina A&T.

In 1960, Attles was selected as the Philadelphia Warriors’ fifth-round draft choice. Over the course of his 11 seasons with the team—first in Philadelphia and later in San Francisco—he established himself as a formidable player. His tenure with the franchise has extended beyond his playing days; after retiring as a player in 1983, he continued to serve the Warriors as a coach, general manager, and team ambassador. His more than six-decade association with what is now known as the Golden State Warriors is the longest single-franchise affiliation in NBA history.

Nicknamed “The Destroyer”, Attles ranks among the franchise’s all-time greats. As one of the first Black head coaches in the NBA, he guided the Warriors to their first championship during the 1975 NBA Finals. His numerous honors include being the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching wins and earning a place among the top eight in number of games played.

“Alvin Attles did not just epitomize what it meant to be a Warrior—he was Mr. Warrior. 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,” the Warriors said in a statement honoring Attles. “As a player, coach, general manager, ambassador, and most of all, as a person, Alvin set the standards of professionalism and class by which we all strive to achieve. He 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.” 

Attles’ endless contributions to the franchise led to achievements, including being named a co-recipient of the 2017 National Basketball Coaches Association’s Chuck  Daily Lifetime Achievement Award, being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, and being honored with the John W. Burn Lifetime Achievement Award.

Attles’ extensive contributions to the franchise have been recognized with numerous accolades, including co-recipient of the 2017 National Basketball Coaches Association’s Chuck Daily Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the John W. Burn Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting his lasting impact on basketball and the community.