Al Attles, a revered figure in basketball and Hall of Famer, who was known for his tough playing style as “The Destroyer” and later stepped up as a coach and general manager for the Golden State Warriors, passed away Tuesday at the age of 87.

The Warriors confirmed Attles’ death on Wednesday, stating he died at his home in East Bay, California, with his family by his side.

“Alvin has made an incredible impact on basketball and the Bay Area community, particularly as a loving family man and humanitarian,” the team expressed in a statement. “We grieve his passing alongside his wife, Wilhelmina, son Alvin, and all who cherished him.”

Attles kicked off his NBA journey as the fifth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960. On March 2, 1962, he scored 17 points in a game against the New York Knicks, a night when his teammate Wilt Chamberlain famously tallied 100 points in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Later that year, he followed the franchise to San Francisco and continued his playing career until the 1970-71 season, wrapping up with an average of 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 711 games.

In his last season playing, Attles took on the role of player-coach, later becoming the head coach until 1983. Under his guidance, the Warriors secured the NBA championship in the 1974-75 season, defeating the then-Washington Bullets in a sweep. This achievement made him the second Black coach ever to win an NBA title, following Bill Russell.

In his coaching career, Attles recorded a 557-518 win-loss tally as the Warriors’ head coach. Additionally, he worked as the general manager for three seasons, returned as an assistant coach in 1994-95, and took on various roles in the front office, accumulating over six decades with the Warriors organization.

“Alvin Attles had an immense, positive impact on both my career and personal life. He drafted me in 1985, welcomed me to the Bay Area, and guided me through my journey as a basketball player and individual through various challenges,” shared former Warriors star Chris Mullin. “He was more than a mentor; he was a close friend and a role model whose integrity and humility set a standard for all of us. He was a true champion on and off the court.”

Attles was honored with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Warriors have retired his jersey number 16.