NBA community pays tribute to Hugh Evans as iconic referee passes away aged 81

Hugh Evans, Fame’s class of 2022, passed away on Friday morning, according to Cathy, his wife, who spoke to ESPN. He passes away aged 81. On his third attempt, Evans was formally named to the hoops Hall of Fame on April 2.

From 1973 through 2001, Evans officiated 1,969 regular-season games for the NBA. Additionally, Evans officiated four NBA All-Star Games, 35 NBA Finals games, and 170 playoff games. During the 1995–96 season, coaches, general managers, and NBA senior vice presidents ranked him as the second-best official in the league.

Image Credits – ESPN

Evans spent two years as an NBA assistant supervisor of officials following his retirement in 2001. Additionally, he is a member of the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. On September 9-10, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Evans—one of the six NBA officials named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—will be officially inducted.

Evans answered a question about his Hall of Fame induction earlier this year: “I still haven’t considered what it means. I’m still thinking about it. You get shivers, I cry, I get pleased, and I know I am unique whenever I hear it. God has chosen me to be unique.”

Evans said he was proud to be an HBCU graduate and NBA referee. He admitted to Landscape in 2021 that becoming well-liked and fighting institutional prejudice were his most brutal struggles as an African American NBA official. He claimed that he gradually earned that respect with his professionalism on and off the court, including his renowned sharp attire for games.

It was challenging, according to Evans, to gain the support of the general managers, players, coaches, and supporters. “They didn’t believe that we [African American referees] could perform the duties. I was the first African American person to advance past the opening round of the playoffs. I then competed in the Finals. They eventually said, “This person is good. We’ll give him some room.”

 

Here are some reactions from the NBA community, paying respect to Evans:

 

 

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