Richie Adubato, the beloved NBA and WNBA coach, has passed away at the age of 87. Known for his incredible basketball mind, Adubato’s true legacy went far beyond Xs and Os — he was a teacher at heart.
Before stepping into the bright lights of professional basketball, Adubato spent his early years walking through New Jersey’s inner cities, teaching five children a day in their homes. “Before I’d start, I’d drag the kitchen table into the middle of the room and slam it on the floor to keep the roaches away,” he once recalled. On days when a child’s home life was too harsh, he would relocate lessons to diners, sometimes buying lunch to ensure they had a safe, supportive environment.
Adubato’s coaching career spanned four decades, including stints as head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Liberty, and Washington Mystics, and as interim coach for the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic. His approach to basketball mirrored his approach to life — he coached people before players, focusing on character, humanity, and heart.
Beyond the court, Adubato was a keen observer, a storyteller, and a mentor. He remembered every detail, from points scored in high school games to the subtleties that made each player unique. As his wife, Carol Adubato, once shared, “I can’t believe the stuff he can remember… Richie can not only recall my cousin’s performance but even the score of the games.”
Richie Adubato will be remembered not just for his accomplishments, but for the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the hearts he inspired. In a world of stats and highlights, his legacy reminds us that coaching is as much about humanity as it is about bas
