The 39th pick of the 1960 draft by the then-Philadelphia Warriors, Attles came from a small school, North Carolina A&T.

Attles spent 11 years playing for the team and finished with 711 games played, currently the fifth most in the franchise’s history.

Attles’ was one of the first African-Americans to hold the position of head coach in any of the major professional sports, a fact that he downplayed at every opportunity.

Attles led the Warriors to six postseasons over 14 years, including it’s first Bay Area championship in 1975, and followed that up by winning a then-franchise record 59 games in 1975-76.

Attles has been with the Warriors in one capacity or another since 1960, the longest uninterrupted streak of any person for one team.

Attles has continued to serve in a variety of capacities for the team, including administrator and dedicated community ambassador.

Rick Barry, who played both with and under Attles, said Al’s teams focussed on teamwork: “We were a team of the highest order.”

The late Scotty Stirling, who worked in the Warriors’ front office from 1976-82, said of Attles: “He always felt his actions spoke louder than anything he could say about it.”

Attles coached 1,075 games and amassed 557 wins, both Warriors franchise records, posting a .518 winning percentage.

Attles’ #16 is one of just six Warriors numbers to be retired — along with Rick Barry (#24), Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Tom Meschery (#14), Chris Mullin (#17) and Nate Thurmond (#42).

Long-time Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett, who played under Attles for three seasons, said when he thinks of Al, “I think of a gentleman.”

Forever a dedicated Warrior, Attles’ nearly 60-year commitment to the team, community, and fanbase will be immortalized with his enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.