Richie Adubato, Legendary Basketball Coach, Passes Away
The basketball community mourns the loss of Richie Adubato, a coach with a decades-long career in the NBA and WNBA. His family announced his passing on Thursday, at the age of 87.
Adubato left a significant mark on the sport, coaching teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, New York Liberty, and Washington Mystics.
Let’s remember him as the fun, intelligent, energetic, and genuinely warm human being he always was.
Beth Adubato, Richie’s daughter
During his time as coach of the Liberty, Adubato led the team to the WNBA Finals on three occasions (1999-2004), with outstanding players such as Teresa Weatherspoon and Becky Hammon. He still holds the franchise record with 178 games coached and is second in wins (100).
In addition to her success in the WNBA, Adubato also made an impact in the NBA, being interim coach of the Magic in 1997 and later radio analyst for the team from 2005 to 2020.Adubato also coached the Washington Mystics for more than two seasons, between 2005 and 2007.
Adubato’s legacy also includes his time as interim coach in Detroit during the 1979-80 season and as head coach in Dallas from 1989 to 1993.
Before his NBA career, Adubato spent 18 years coaching basketball at the high school and college levels in New Jersey.The NBA and WNBA have expressed their sorrow at Adubato’s passing, recognizing his impact on basketball.
