Richie Adubato Passes Away: NBA and WNBA Basketball Legend at 87 Years Old

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The basketball world mourns the loss of Richie Adubato, a renowned coach who left an indelible mark on the NBA and WNBA. Adubato passed away at the age of 87, according to his family.

A Legacy of Success

Adubato coached the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, and New York Liberty, demonstrating his versatility and passion for the sport. His career spanned four decades, leaving a significant mark on each team he led. In the WNBA, Adubato led the New York Liberty to three finals in six seasons (1999-2004). Even today, he holds the record for most games coached with 178 and is second in wins (100) in the franchise.

Let us remember his legacy with gratitude, a coach who led the Liberty to 3 WNBA finals and established a standard of excellence that still inspires our organization.

New York Liberty
Adubato was also the coach of the Washington Mystics for more than two seasons (2005-2007). In 1997, he took over as interim coach of the Magic, after being an assistant for several years. In addition, he was the team’s radio analyst from 2005 to 2020. The DeVos family and the Orlando Magic mourn the passing of Richie Adubato. His legacy endures in every story and lesson he shared, a coach who transformed the gym into a place of connection and joy.
https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1987194137083310300
Adubato was also interim coach in Detroit during the 1979-80 season and later coach in Dallas from 1989 to 1993. Before his time in the NBA, Adubato spent 18 years coaching basketball in high schools and colleges in New Jersey. He graduated from William Paterson, where he captained the basketball and baseball teams. The NBA and WNBA mourn the passing of Richie Adubato, a coach who left an indelible mark on basketball.
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