Richie Adubato Passes Away at 87
Richie Adubato, who had a prominent career as a coach in the NBA and WNBA, passed away at the age of 87. His family announced the sad news on social media on Friday, the day after he died. Adubato’s daughter, Beth, shared a touching tribute, encouraging everyone to remember her father as a warm-hearted, intelligent, and humorous individual.
Legacy with the New York Liberty
Adubato is best known for his impactful tenure with the New York Liberty, where he coached from 1999 to 2004. During his time, he skillfully led the team to three WNBA Finals appearances—a remarkable achievement that still resonates within the franchise today. He set the record for most games coached in Liberty history at 178 and ranks second for career wins, accumulating 100 victories while mentoring future Hall of Famers such as Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon.
The New York Liberty celebrated his legacy, expressing their gratitude for his influence on the team in a heartfelt social media post.
“With deep gratitude, we remember the legacy of Richie Adubato, who guided the Liberty to three WNBA Finals appearances and set a standard of excellence that still inspires our organization today,”
they wrote, extending their condolences to Adubato’s family.
Coaching Career and Impact
Prior to his notable stint with the Liberty, Adubato had a brief role as interim head coach of the Orlando Magic in 1997, after having served as an assistant coach. He later became the team’s radio analyst from 2005 to 2020. The Magic also shared their sadness regarding Adubato’s passing, stating,
“Richie’s legacy lives on in every story and lesson he shared.”
Adubato’s coaching career spanned four decades, during which he also held positions with the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Mystics, and served as an interim head coach for the Detroit Pistons. Before making his mark in the professional leagues, he had an extensive coaching background at both high school and college levels in New Jersey, where he was also a standout athlete at William Paterson University, captaining both the basketball and baseball teams.
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale commemorated their friendship in a heartfelt message, expressing that Adubato would be missed but never forgotten.
Tributes from the Basketball Community
The NBA and WNBA communities also paid tribute, mourning the loss of a figure who had a profound impact on numerous lives both on and off the court, highlighting the joy and learning he brought to the game.
