NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Al Attles Passes Away at 87
Legendary basketball player and coach Al Attles, who had a successful career at North Carolina A&T before making his mark in the NBA, passed away at the age of 87 in his San Francisco Bay Area home on Tuesday.
Attles, a Newark, New Jersey native, played under renowned coach Cal Irvin at North Carolina A&T from 1956-1960, leading the Aggies to back-to-back CIAA titles in 1958 and 1959. He graduated with a degree in physical education and history, crediting Coach Irvin for teaching him valuable life lessons.
Drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960, Attles spent 11 seasons with the team, eventually becoming a coach from 1970-1983. He guided the Warriors to an NBA championship in 1975, making him only the second Black coach to achieve such a feat. His number 22 jersey was retired by the Warriors, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
In a touching tribute, North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III praised Attles for his impact on the school and the basketball community, highlighting his embodiment of Aggie Pride and his contributions to the Bay Area.
Attles, who cherished his time at North Carolina A&T, expressed his gratitude during a jersey retirement ceremony in 2015, stating that he would do it all over again if given the chance.
The basketball world mourns the loss of a true legend, whose legacy will forever be remembered both on and off the court.