WEB Warriors Hall of Famer Al Attles, One of the NBA's First Black Head Coaches, Dies at 87
Al Attles: A Trailblazing Coach
Al Attles, one of the first African American head coaches in the NBA, passed away on August 21, 2024, at the age of 87.
Attles played professionally as a guard for nine seasons and later coached for 13 seasons. His most notable achievement was leading the Golden State Warriors to their first NBA championship in 1975.
Witness to NBA History
Attles was a key figure in the NBA during some of its most iconic eras.
1960s: The Rise of Bill Russell
As a player for the Philadelphia Warriors, Attles witnessed the dominance of Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics.
1970s: The Arrival of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
As coach of the Warriors, Attles oversaw the emergence of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
1980s: The Showtime Lakers
As an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, Attles helped guide the team to five NBA championships with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
A Legacy of Excellence
Attles' contributions to the NBA were recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
He will be remembered as a pioneer who paved the way for future generations of Black coaches and players.
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