Hugh Evans Inducted in 2014
Hugh Evans
Hubert "Hugh" Evans (November 8, 1940 – July 8, 2022) was born in Squire, West Virginia, he later attended North Carolina A&T State University, where he played basketball and baseball for the Aggies. After graduating, he was selected in the 12th round (80th overall) of the 1963 NBA draft by the St. Louis Hawks, becoming the third player from A&T to be drafted by an NBA team after Al Attles and Herbert Gray. However, Evans opted to pursue baseball and played several seasons in the minor leagues for the San Francisco Giants.
Evans relocated to New York City and was director of a community center in Brooklyn by 1968. He paid $100 to sign up for an officials’ camp. Later calling it "the best investment I ever made." and officiated amateur basketball games in the summer league held at Rucker Park in Harlem. The camp director soon asked him whether he would be interested in refereeing professional games. Evans subsequently agreed on a part-time contract with the NBA in 1972 to officiate 47 games, before becoming a full-time referee the following year. He became the second NBA referee to come from a historically Black college or university after Ken Hudson.
Evans ultimately officiated 1,969 regular-season games, 170 playoff games, 35 NBA Finals, and four NBA All-Star Games throughout his 28-year career. After retiring as a referee in 2001, Evans became an assistant supervisor of NBA officials, a position he held till 2003. Hugh Evans, who was an NBA referee from 1972-2001, became the 17th official to enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Evans relocated to New York City and was director of a community center in Brooklyn by 1968. He paid $100 to sign up for an officials’ camp. Later calling it "the best investment I ever made." and officiated amateur basketball games in the summer league held at Rucker Park in Harlem. The camp director soon asked him whether he would be interested in refereeing professional games. Evans subsequently agreed on a part-time contract with the NBA in 1972 to officiate 47 games, before becoming a full-time referee the following year. He became the second NBA referee to come from a historically Black college or university after Ken Hudson.
Evans ultimately officiated 1,969 regular-season games, 170 playoff games, 35 NBA Finals, and four NBA All-Star Games throughout his 28-year career. After retiring as a referee in 2001, Evans became an assistant supervisor of NBA officials, a position he held till 2003. Hugh Evans, who was an NBA referee from 1972-2001, became the 17th official to enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame