SPRINGFIELD – The family of the late Hugh Evans, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA announced the passing of Evans, legendary NBA referee at the age of 78. Mr. Evans was set to be enshrined as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame along with the class of 2022 in September.
“The NBA mourns the loss of Hugh Evans, one of the league’s most accomplished referees and a 2022 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement on Twitter. “Hugh officiated more than 2,000 games, including 35 NBA Finals games. We send our condolences to his wife, Cathy, and all his loved ones.”
“The Basketball Hall of Fame family mourns the loss and celebrates the life of Hugh Evans,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Hugh was a trailblazer; in 1972, he became the first NBA Official from an HBCU, coming from North Carolina A&T University. He was also known for holding himself and other Officials to the highest standard. The game is in a better place for having had him involved as an Official and later as a Supervisor of Officials for 30 years.”
Evans served as an NBA official for 28 consecutive years (1973-2001), tallying over 2,000 regular season games, 170 playoff games, 35 NBA Finals games and four NBA All-Star Games. In 1972, Evans became the first NBA official from an HBCU. Following his on-court officiating career, Evans worked as the NBA Assistant Supervisor of Officials (2001-03). He was a recipient of the Each One Teach One Community Service Award and was enshrined in the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame as well as the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame.