Patricia Toscano, who grew up in a neighborhood known to locals as the killing zone, often worried that her four kids were destined to become grim statistics. Macario had bought the house in 1970 after moving to Oakland, where a couple of his sisters had settled, from the Mexican state of Michoacan. He played college basketball at North Carolina A&T, and was selected 39th overall in the 1960 NBA draft. Before Letourneau joined The Chronicle, he covered the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian. He had planned to attend the party. 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. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Before Fame The boy bothering my aunt found that out the hard way. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Ive talked to the late Maurice Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson and countless other players from his era. Friends told her that he had blossomed into an all-state player at Castro Valley High School. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. "My relationship with my Mexican heritage was, it was different," Toscano-Anderson recently told me. 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. Outside of his family, most of the people he interacted with were Black. You can also get notified of new episodes on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher and SoundCloud. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. As Toscano-Anderson said, money has never been the driving factor for him. A large part of that was because it was a space for him to let out his competitive juices -- which he's had since birth. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. So, the Warriors themselves, for what they are, they've given me dreams. For kids that are from Oakland, they can identify with me., Toscano-Anderson continued: Its not like theyre looking at the Kobe Bryants or the LeBron James. His #16 is retired by the Warriors, and even in his 70s he attended every home Warriors game. "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. The time he saw a homeless man beat another homeless man with an aluminum bat on 95th Avenue. Juan, he said, had a real future in basketball. The Warriors were longshots to beat the Washington Bullets. One of those games included a USA-Mexico match. Especially as he set out to start his career. (Dan Honda/Bay Area News Group), Golden State Warriors legend Al Attles, center, tosses the basket ball between Jenny Fang, left, and her cousin Ella Fang to start a game as part of the refurbished baskteball court ceremony at Lincoln Square Park in Oakland in 2006. Although his role has greatly changed, we now happily assume the role of caregivers to the man who has given so much to so many. "I always wanted to walk onto that court donning an NBA jersey," Toscano-Anderson said. It's never an easy critique to hear. Mrs. Attles told her not to worry about it. Her younger brother, a nephew and two of her cousins were all shot and killed in East Oakland. That was my first basketball camp, its propelled me to where I am today.. In elementary school, he was encouraged to play basketball by his former teacher Wilhelmina Attles, wife of Warriors legend and Hall of Famer Al Attles. It changed my life, it was really exciting. To her surprise, she was having a boy. Attles, one of Montclairs only African American teachers, felt an immediate kinship with Juan, who is half-Black, half-Mexican. "I was enjoying basketball, and that's what I do this for, to just enjoy the game," Toscano-Anderson said. Attles was photographed at the team's downtown Oakland practice facility where a large sign honors the 74-75 Warriors. But he was one. Fell in love with it, said Toscano-Anderson. 16, Barry (24), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Tom Meschery (14), Chris Mullin (17) and Nate Thurmond (42) hang in the rafters. But on the blacktop at recess, Toscano-Anderson forgot all about the outside world. 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. He won an NBA championship in 1975, which made him the second African-American coach to do so, joining Bill Russell. None of this wouldve been possible without your love and support at a very difficult time in our lives, Patricia wrote. Despite being a fan though, Toscano-Anderson did not play basketball early in life. Just as he was starting to contemplate life without basketball, he got a call from the Mexican national team, which wanted to fly him to Mexico City for a tryout. 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. They have two children. 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. That got pretty boring after doing every day at recess. It got even harder when their home burned down when Juan was in third grade. But my father never seriously entertained any of those offers. "To just have some better competition, there were a lot of kids there that were older than me, and that were actually pursuing basketball and had game. The path from Warriors Basketball Camp to the NBA for Toscano-Anderson was far from seamless. A native of Oakland, Toscano-Anderson is uniquely tied to the Golden State Warriors. Golden State Warriors | But at a certain point, the competition on the playground wasn't enough for him. It was not only a momentous occasion in his basketball career, but a culmination of events that are almost hard to believe. So much so, Toscano-Anderson went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft, and not for any lack of talent, but by his own admission he did not even submit his name for the draft. Toscano-Anderson was introduced to basketball in the third grade at Oakland's Stonehurst Elementary School by his then-teacher Wilhelmina Attles, who is a former Upsala College basketball star and also the wife of Warriors legend and Hall of Famer Al Attles. "He just brings that energy and juice to every moment that he comes into the game. What Attles didnt know then was that Toscano-Anderson was homeless. But as of Thursday morning, Toscano-Anderson is an official member of the Warriors -- and stillan Oakland resident -- as he signed a standard, multiyear contract with Golden State. He thanked Attles again Thursday . Kerr wore a 1970s style suit similar to what Attles wore on the sideline. He was born in Newark, New Jersey. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Whenever the Warriors luminaries return to watch the game they played and love, they often do one thing that becomes as memorable as marveling at the highlight reels. Attles was replaced by Johnny Bach for the last 21 games of the 197980 NBA season (a season in which the Warriors finished tied for last place), though he returned for the next season (Bach would become Attles's permanent successor after 1983). But The Town isn't Toscano-Anderson's only home. Teacher and student lost touch, however, when he moved on to Montera Middle School. A month after Juan enrolled at Montclair, Attles learned from a member of the parent-teacher association that Juan had been staying at a family members house over the holidays when an intruder shot and killed one of Juans relatives, then stole the Christmas presents from under the tree. Everybody makes a mistake. "I would say, like at home, it was just like all Mexican traditions. (By Dino Vournas/Straff Archives), Oakland, CA January 23, 1980 - Golden State Warriors basketball coach Al Attles rejoices. There was a sadness in his eyes. He remembers me.. Now on that standard contract, Juan is ready to prove that decision was the right one. Following a short stint as the Warriors general manager in 1983-84, Attles retired and became a regular fixture at Warriors home games. That encouragement set Toscano-Anderson on a path that has eventually led with the versatile forward finding a home with his childhood team, as this past May he signed a multi-year contract with the Warriors. As kids, my sister once told my dad about a boy who was messing with at her at school. "I had an itch to compete all the time, whether it's who's gonna wash the dishes the fastest, you know, who's going to get from point A to point B, the fastest who's gonna make 100 threes the fastest. Every time he walked into that building, he got a taste of what he wanted his future to be. "I still did it all my way," Toscano-Anderson said. He tries to impact the game the same way Green does -- by doing a bit of everything. Even though I know what the situation is, it doesnt matter, said former Warriors forward Clifford Ray. Follow Bay Area News Group Warriors beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. My dad agreed and the next day, he promptly burned a can of franks-and-beans for dinner. Although the American team was full of G League players, Mexico came out on top. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? As a kid, Toscano-Anderson lived in five houses scattered across East Oakland. 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. But all it took was a little encouragement from the wife of a Warriors Hall of Famer to turn him onto the sport. Take the instance where Toscano-Anderson cracked his head open on a dive to save a possession in the April 15 game against the Boston Celtics as evidence. At 6'3" and son of an NBA legend, Al Attles, III undoubtedly knows, loves and has played basketball, but writing, storytelling, and filmmaking were always his passion. After finishing fifth on the Warriors all-time games played list (711), he transitioned into coaching the organization. Her doctor told her she was having a girl. Over the next three years, he established himself as the countrys best player. Shenoticed that heseemed to be happiest when he was playing basketball in the schoolyard. . 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. Next, going from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract. Attles became an assistant coach in 1968, while still a player. Retired teacher Wilhelmina Attles was cleaning her kitchen last month when she came across a coffee mug adorned with signatures from one of her old third-grade classes at Montclair Elementary School. His drive to get better also is intact. Attles joined the then-Philadelphia Warriors in 1960. Sure, he made up those scenarios in his head but didn't think they'd become reality. Toscano-Andersons play at Santa Cruz was so strong in the 2018-19 season, the Warriors wanted to see more. Willhemina Attles, wife of Warriors Hall of Famer Al Attles, holds a mug signed by current Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson and his third-grade classmates from back in 2002 when Attles was Toscano-Andersons teacher at Montclair Elementary School in Oakland. You know, just really taking on the competitive challenge that was needed.". I know I am Mexican. Toscano-Anderson penned a personal note on the jersey reading: I wouldnt be wearing this jersey if it werent for you, Toscano-Anderson humbly shared with her. Toscano-Anderson grew up in a similar situation, only with his Mexican roots. Many in the Elmhurst neighborhood know that, if they need a place to stay while they get their lives back on track, Toscano-Anderson and his mom will try to help provide accommodations. Heres the impact of the latest 2022 tax returns: IRS further extends filing deadline for most Californians. Ever! Attles was known as "The Destroyer" due to his defensive specialities along with once punching a player in the jaw. Last season, the Warriors hosted Al Attles night during a regular-season game by playing a tribute video and handing out On Friday against Washington, players wore shooting shirts featuring Attles' likeness. One half of one percent of people looking to play professional basketball will even get the opportunity to try out.. "I'm from the Bay Area," he said back in March before quickly revising himself,"Wait, I'm not from the Bay. And so that was kind of humbling. Thompson: Known for his toughness, Warriors legend Al Attles' strength comes from his wife's love By Marcus Thompson II Apr 4, 2019 Al Attles, 82, is a champ in the kitchen. (D. Ross Cameron/Staff Archives), Golden State Warriors' legend Alvin Attles ackowledges the crowd as Nate Thurmond, left, looks on during a special tribute to Attles as part of the NBA Hardwood Classics Month during the game agaInst the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of an NBA game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. Hes here, and hes making his presence felt.. Family photos from Juan Toscano-Andersons youth. But it never changed Al Attles. I just love to compete," Toscano-Andersonsaid. When Patricias salary from teaching violence-prevention skills to juvenile offenders wasnt enough to cover the rent, she and her kids stayed with her father, Macario Toscano. Steph Curry could return during Warriors next road trip, per reports Now Toscano-Anderson is poised to become the first Oakland-born player since the early 1970s to stick on the Warriors roster for three straight seasons. This happened once he transferred schools after having a knife pulled on him in second grade. 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. Golden State Warriors | Golden State Warriors | During the 198384 NBA season, Attles worked as the Warriors' general manager. He made about $2,000 a month with Santa Cruz. One night in July 1992, Macarios youngest son, Juan, had an argument with someone in the neighborhood. I'm just Juan, the biracial guy. But hes home now and is getting a little bit stronger every day.. With Santa Cruz was so strong in the schoolyard the schoolyard point, Warriors. It took was a little encouragement from the wife of a Warriors Hall Famer! 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