For those 20 or so minutes, he was like any other kid, giggling as he beat his classmates in footraces or pickup basketball games. He is a graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey and North Carolina A&T State University. But he committed himself, learned and he became great. In Game 4 of the 1975 Finals, Riordan walked up to Rick Barry and shoved the Warriors star. He played overseas, joining the Mexican national basketball team in 2016 at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and then in Mexico and Venezuela from 2016 to 2018. Al Attles was born on November 7, 1936 in Newark, NJ. I think it's the best of both worlds.". The 28-year-old has become a keyrotation player for the Warriors, averaging 8.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 13 games, while shooting 63 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep in 29 minutes per game. Riordan was looking to give his team a spark, or worse yet trying to get Barry thrown out of the game for retaliating. So instead of a substantial financial increase and a promise of more executive control in a new city, my dad settled for lifelong season tickets, a small salary bump and a familiar seat in his office in the Oakland Coliseum. Similarly, Toscano-Anderson has always been a Warrior, since he was part of the organization's youth program in the third grade. Then, one day in spring 2015, Attles received a small package containing a program from the Marquette University mens basketball program and a letter. He thanked Attles again Thursday, noting, "She just changed my life." Especially as he set out to start his career. (Oakland Tribune Photo), Former player, coach, player/coach and the last coach to last Warriors' coach to win a championship Al Attles has a word with the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) following their victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. In 29 games, he has averaged 5.0 points on 52.8% shooting (40% from 3-point range), 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.1 minutes. During the first few months in his new town, he took care of his two younger siblings while his mom worked as the director of Catholic Charities violence prevention program. As kids, my sister once told my dad about a boy who was messing with at her at school. Heres the impact of the latest 2022 tax returns: IRS further extends filing deadline for most Californians. I love it here. Attles, one of Montclairs only African American teachers, felt an immediate kinship with Juan, who is half-Black, half-Mexican. I thought he changed the game the other night in the second quarter with his emotion. It was not only a momentous occasion in his basketball career, but a culmination of events that are almost hard to believe. He plans on starting with getting his brother a car for his 16th birthday. Whenever issues arose in the neighborhood, it was Juan who defended her. "I feel like this situation is just destined," he said. The Bay Area is catching a break from winter storms. "She never mentioned Mr. Attles was her husband, and I mean, I knew [who] the Warriors were, but I didn't know any of that," Patricia said. Shenoticed that heseemed to be happiest when he was playing basketball in the schoolyard. In 2014, Attles was the recipient of the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Awardan annual basketball award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to an individual who has contributed significantly to the sport of basketball, the award is the highest and the most prestigious honor presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame other than enshrinement. Steph Curry takes encouraging step in lead-up to return, though timetable still unknown. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. But my dads priorities even in a potentially life-changing situation, left a deep impression on me. He tries to impact the game the same way Green does -- by doing a bit of everything. Al Attles is a Warriors icon, but his wife, Wilhelmina, has been his rock for more than half a century. I remember this mantra from the time I was five years old, when my father would caution kids at his numerous basketball camps to keep their heads in the books as opposed to betting it all on a professional career. Warriors come alive in third quarter to beat Portland In class, his voice barely rose above a whisper. It also unlocked his passion for basketball. His ability to guard multiple positions, find open shooters and ratchet up the tempo intrigued Golden State, which had helped hasten the leagues trend toward a positionless brand of basketball. Klay Thompson subscribes. As a teacher, you spend so much time around these kids that you know what they need at various times, said Attles, who watches every Warriors game to cheer for Toscano-Anderson. I greatly anticipate my father becoming immortalized. Toscano-Anderson would require resilience, a change in the NBAs style of play and some luck to go from a seldom-used college reserve to a rotation player with the Warriors. Everything I envisioned as a young kid, when I met Ms. Attles and I had cornrows and I used to wear a Larry Hughes jersey to school, Im doing all of that right now. Want Warriors news delivered to your phone? A Warriors Outsiders segment was detailing Toscano-Andersons rise with Golden State. In my case, I was raised in a predominantly white family and went to a predominantly white school. I heard that message on more Saturday mornings than I can recall. Although celebrities such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jesse Jackson, and Bill Cosby were friends of his, he never took on celebrity airs. Either before the game or a during a timeout, they walk toward the concourse atop the lower bowl. The team that selected him was the then Philadelphia Warriors. Patricia wascalled into a parent-teacher conference with Toscano-Anderson's teacher, WillheminaAttles. I never thought in a million years Id be playing for the Warriors, let alone in the NBA, but its exciting for myself, for my family, for my friends, and for the people of Oakland.. Lamb chops.. Attles, 82, has not been at Warriors games recently this season because of what team spokesman Raymond Ridder called age-related ailments. The Warriors have invited Attles to be among the Warriors luminaries to attend Sundays game against the Clippers, which will mark the final regular-season game at Oracle Arena. "That's what makes me go.". Toscano-Andersons play at Santa Cruz was so strong in the 2018-19 season, the Warriors wanted to see more. Family photos from Juan Toscano-Andersons youth. A few lucky ones would be invited to training camp with a chance to join the roster. . She noticed that he seemed to be happiest when he was playing basketball in the schoolyard. Tough. I look forward to meeting so many idols from my youth. But it has been his standing in our family that has always held the most meaning for us. After 3 hours of labor, Patricia gave birth to a 9-pound, 12-ounce baby. He was just 19. Although I never quite understood the one-half-of-one-percent phrase, at five years old I understood that my father was a practical man. He was previously the Warriors beat reporter (2016-2021) and the Cal beat reporter (2015-16). In addition to becoming a hero of sorts to Mexicans and Mexican Americans for being the only active NBA player of Mexican descent, Toscano-Anderson has become an icon to Oaklanders, many of them still upset that the Warriors left their home of 47 years for San Francisco. He thanked Attles again Thursday, noting, "She just changed my life." Because of those varying roles, Attles will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor on Sept. 6. Before Fame Now on that standard contract, Juan is ready to prove that decision was the right one. Golden State Warriors | His top choice was Cal in nearby Berkeley, but his mother, desperate for him to get as far away from East Oaklands streets as possible, persuaded him to pick the Wisconsin school. In the decade since Toscano-Anderson got that tattoo as a junior at Castro Valley, he had reasons to believe he might not be so special. As he walks past familiar liquor stores and laundromats, he is reminded of some childhood memories that shake him to this day. My father is a true example of hard work, commitment and unwavering integrity. After joining the former Philadelphia Warriors in 1960 as the clubs fifth-round draft choice, Attles became known as The Destroyer during his 11-year NBA career because of his unyielding physical presence along with 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Originally, we thought this piece was going to speak to his victories, his winning percentage, his accolades, and his achievements with the Warriors. She did her best to provide for her children, but it never was easy to balance being a solo parent while maintaining a job in social work to support them. She and Kansas City . But I know once we return home,hell just put the ring and blazer somewhere in the back of his closet. Attles, 82, has had four surgeries in the past. "I never imagined it being a Warrior jersey. Alvin Attles' wife she was my third grade teacher and I was playing soccer prior to that put me into a Warriors Camp. Sign me up! Attles was photographed at the team's downtown Oakland practice facility where a large sign honors the 74-75 Warriors. The lone constant during a journey that included stops in Mexico and Santa Cruz was his unparalleled effort. One of those games included a USA-Mexico match. Al Attles, who played with and coached Barry and is now a vice president in the organization, also has little to say. I paint the city, man, Toscano-Anderson said. Five months later, one of his closest cousins, Eric Toscano, was shot and killed while celebrating his 18th birthday at his home on Ney Avenue in East Oakland. Attles, 36, whose father starred for the Golden State Warriors and is now an executive with the team, is getting ready to release his first feature film.. A film set in Oakland. Back when Attles had a sharper memory, his consideration for others left a lasting impact. None of the coaches, none of my teammates they really made me feel a part of this. Mrs. Attles, as Toscano-Anderson called her, encouraged the young boy to join the Warriors' youth basketball program, and also helped him get on the Oakland Rebels AAU basketball team. Aug 15, 2022. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Alvin Austin Attles Jr. (Destroyer. I just want to contribute to my teams success, he said. His steaks were tender, his gumbo was excellent, and his breakfasts were legendary. To her surprise, she was having a boy. Everybody makes a mistake. When Al put that uniform on, he gave you everything he had, Barry said. Former Warriors head coach Al Attles attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, marking his first appearance at Oracle Arena in 2019. San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images. In all, Attles has been a Warriors employee in some fashion for 57 years, going back to when he was drafted by the team in 1960. Alvin Austin Attles Jr. (born November 7, 1936) is an American former professional basketball player and coach best known for his longtime association with the Golden State Warriors. After averaging 3.8 points per game over his four-year career at Marquette, Toscano-Anderson didnt receive a single offer to play overseas, much less in the NBA. But he gave up a six-figure salary and a luxury apartment in Monterrey for the chance to join more than two dozen players at a tryout for a training-camp spot with Golden States G League affiliate. Obviously a smart, smart player. The court was renamed as Al Attles Court. I knew theyd knock him right out, Patricia said. I think it's just there's a difference, you know, like actually indulging in, you know, the culture to traditions, the language, all of that stuff. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Two of his most famous knockouts were against far bigger men: 6-9 Zelmo Beaty and 6-8 Bob Ferry. According to police, after a 17-year-old alleged gang member tried to crash the party and was turned away by Toscanos father, he returned a half hour later and opened fire on bystanders, killing Toscano and wounding three others. "I would say, like at home, it was just like all Mexican traditions. Oakland is no stranger to people with mixed backgrounds. Golden State Warriors | As a youth, Toscano-Anderson was a Warriors Basketball Camp participant, officially becoming the first Golden State Warriors player to have participated in the franchises youth basketball program. Youre running into all these different monsters, only theyre things like gangs and drive-by shootings.. A native of Oakland, Toscano-Anderson is uniquely tied to the Golden State Warriors. He impressed enough that he remained with the team up through the Dubs preseason games, being amongst the first players to grace the courts at Chase Center. 2023 Getty Images. He hadnt known how to cook, just as he hadnt known how to coach when Franklin Mieuli asked him to take charge of the Warriors. Toscano-Anderson memorialized his late cousin by getting a tattoo of 78 Erics jersey number with Oaklands Skyline High School football team on his upper left arm. Juan went home and declared to his family he was giving up soccer. You hardly feel out of place. Twenty years ago, Juan Toscano-Anderson was initially introduced to basketball by his third grade teacher, Wilhelmina Attles, wife of Hall of Famer and Warriors legend Alvin Attles. Coming up in the part of the town that I came up in, it almost feels like youre in that book, Where the Wild Things Are, Toscano-Anderson said. Connor Letourneau is a sports enterprise reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. Doing these things for his family, and simply the time he gets to spend with them, are the biggest things Toscano-Anderson had to sacrifice when he went and played overseas. Patricia Toscano, mother of Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, stands outside his childhood home in Oakland. It was 20 years ago when teacher Wilhelmina Attles, wife of former Warriors star player and coach Al Attles, encouraged Toscano-Anderson to play basketball. Al Attles with Ben Trefny The Warriors just won their fourth NBA title in eight years - we hear from the man who coached them to their first title here back in 1975, former Warriors head coach Al Attles. Almost all their belongings, including many of the kids childhood photos, were destroyed. He made it a point to become fluent in Spanish, and took a trip to Chevy, Mexico, with his grandfather to see where his family was from. 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