Remembering Richie Adabato, former NBA coach, who passed away

• Richie Adabato passed away at the age of 87 on November 8.
• He led the "New York Liberty" to the WNBA finals three times.
• Adabato coached NBA teams for four decades.

Richie Adabato, former coach of NBA basketball teams including the "Dallas Mavericks", "Orlando Magic", and "New York Liberty", passed away at the age of 87. His family reported this.

Adabato passed away on Thursday, and his family announced the news on social media on Friday.

"Let’s remember him as the cheerful, sensible, energetic, and generous person he always was," his daughter Beth wrote.

During his career, Adabato led the "New York Liberty" to the WNBA finals three times during six years working with the team from 1999 to 2004. He also holds the franchise record for the most games coached, which he coached — 178, and he ranks second for the most wins in New York after Sandy Brondello, achieving over 100 wins, working with stars like Teresa Weatherspoon and Becky Hammon.

The "New York Liberty" expressed their gratitude to Adabato for his contributions to the development of the team, noting that his legacy continues to inspire the organization today.

Adabato also served as an assistant coach for the "Orlando Magic" in 1997 after several years of working as an assistant. He worked as an analyst for the team’s radio from 2005 to 2020.

Seven DeVos and the "Orlando Magic" expressed their condolences in connection with his passing, emphasizing that Adabato lived in every story and lesson he shared, making sports a place of connection and joy.

Adabato also served as head coach of the "Detroit Pistons" in the 1979-80 season and previously coached the "Dallas Mavericks" from 1989 to 1993.

The NBA and WNBA expressed their sadness in connection with his passing, noting that his career spanned four decades, including work with the "Washington Mystics".

Before working in the NBA, Adabato spent 18 years coaching basketball in middle schools and colleges in New Jersey. He graduated from William Paterson University, where he was captain of both the basketball and baseball teams.

Tags: USA/Sport/Basketball