Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed profile of Al Attles:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Alvin Austin Attles Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 7, 1936
  • Hometown: Newark, New Jersey, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
  • Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 1 inch
  • Shoe Size: Size 10 (US)
  • Number: #16
  • Position: Guard (Point Guard / Shooting Guard)
  • High School: Weequahic High School (Newark, NJ)
  • College: North Carolina A&T State University (1956–1960)
  • NBA Draft:
    • Selected in the 5th round, 39th overall in the 1960 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors
  • Teams Played For:
    • Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors (1960–1971)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 1× NBA Champion as head coach (1975, with the Golden State Warriors)
  • Career Highlights:
    • Played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Warriors franchise.
    • Known as one of the first African-American head coaches in the NBA, serving as head coach of the Warriors from 1970 to 1983.
    • Led the Golden State Warriors to the 1975 NBA Championship as head coach, defeating the heavily favored Washington Bullets in a stunning sweep.
    • Known for his physical and defensive style of play during his playing career, earning him the nickname “The Destroyer.”
  • Kids: Two children (Alvin III and Erica)
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Al Attles’ player archetype was that of a hard-nosed defensive guard and connective backcourt piece, the kind of steady, physical floor leader who helped hold a team together without needing the offense built around him. Defensively, he was an on-ball irritant and tone-setter, known for toughness, strength, and relentless pressure despite standing only about 6 feet tall, which is a big reason he earned the nickname “The Destroyer.” Offensively, his role was more complementary than dominant, serving as a secondary playmaker, organizer, and possession stabilizer rather than a featured scorer. Physically, Attles was compact, sturdy, and strong for a guard, using leverage and grit more than flash or length. His overall play style was rugged, disciplined, and unselfish, built on defense, ball movement, and team-first reliability rather than individual flair. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Sources:

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Al Attles
NBA.com — A Warrior for Life: Remembering Al Attles
NBA.com — Numbers retired by Golden State Warriors