Al Attles Dies At 87; Steve Kerr, Steph Curry Thank Warriors Icon For Basketball Legacy

(Photo : X.com/NBA)

Al Attles, legendary basketball player, coach, and executive, has died on Tuesday. He was 87.

The Golden State Warriors made the announcement on the organization's official social media accounts, calling him a "franchise legend." Attles died in his San Francisco home, surrounded by his family. No official cause of death has been disclosed.

"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 Warriors said in a statement.

Attles is best known as a Warriors icon who spent over six decades with the organization while holding multiple positions.

Nicknamed "The Destroyer," he played 11 seasons for the Warriors, starting in 1960 when then-Philadelphia Warriors drafted him in the fifth round. In 1962, the team relocated to San Francisco where he spent nine more seasons as a guard.

In 1968, Attles became an assistant coach for the franchise while still a player. He was named head coach-player halfway through the '69-'70 season. He continued the position of head coach after retiring as a player in 1971.

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He was the GSW head coach until 1983 when he led the franchise to its first NBA Championship in 1975.

The New Jersey native served multiple front office positions until 2023, including team general manager and vice president.

Steph Curry, Steve Kerr Mourn Warriors Legend's Death

Current head coach Steve Kerr extended his condolences to the Attles family in a video posted online. The Team USA head coach called the NBA Hall of Famer the "original Mr. Warrior."

"Al was really the figurehead of this organization for so many years--first as a player, then as a great coach ... a GM, an ambassador, and most importantly a great friend to the organization," Kerr said, calling the day of his death a "very sad day."

Steph Curry, fresh off his gold medal win at the 2024 Olympics, shared the same sentiments as he mourned the death of the NBA icon. In a post on his Instagram, the two-time MVP praised Attles' competitiveness, courage, and professionalism, and said his memory will be "forever in our hearts."

Attles is survived by his wife, Wilhelmina, and son, Alvin.

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